Post-war reconstruction and development: a collective case study
- Authors: Heleta, Savo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Civil war , Peace , Peace-building , Nation-building
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9058 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008049 , Civil war , Peace , Peace-building , Nation-building
- Description: Since the end of the Cold War, there has been a surge in post-war stabilisation, reconstruction and development operations around the world. Externally driven efforts have been shaped by the liberal peace framework, which assumes that a rapid transmission or imposition of neo-liberal norms and values, combined with Western-style governance institutions, would create conditions for lasting peace and prosperity. Only in a few instances countries have attempted internally driven post-war reconstruction and development; in most cases, these efforts were either ignored or suppressed by international analysts, experts, academics and organisations. Despite all the expertise and funding spent since the early 1990s, externally driven operations have not led to lasting peace and stability, establishment of functioning institutions, eradication of poverty, livelihood improvements and economic reconstruction and development in war-torn countries. All too often, programmes, policies and „solutions‟ were designed and imposed by external actors either because they worked elsewhere or because they were influenced by geopolitical, economic and/or security interests of powerful countries. Furthermore, external actors have tended to assume that generic approaches based on the liberal peace framework can work in all places, while ignoring local actors, contexts and knowledge. Focusing on Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Sudan and Somaliland, this exploratory qualitative study critically explores and assesses both externally and internally driven post-war reconstruction and development practices and operations in order to understand the strengths and shortcomings of both approaches and offer recommendations for future improvements. This is important since socio-economic recovery and economic development are crucial for lasting stability and peace in post-war countries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Heleta, Savo
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Civil war , Peace , Peace-building , Nation-building
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9058 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008049 , Civil war , Peace , Peace-building , Nation-building
- Description: Since the end of the Cold War, there has been a surge in post-war stabilisation, reconstruction and development operations around the world. Externally driven efforts have been shaped by the liberal peace framework, which assumes that a rapid transmission or imposition of neo-liberal norms and values, combined with Western-style governance institutions, would create conditions for lasting peace and prosperity. Only in a few instances countries have attempted internally driven post-war reconstruction and development; in most cases, these efforts were either ignored or suppressed by international analysts, experts, academics and organisations. Despite all the expertise and funding spent since the early 1990s, externally driven operations have not led to lasting peace and stability, establishment of functioning institutions, eradication of poverty, livelihood improvements and economic reconstruction and development in war-torn countries. All too often, programmes, policies and „solutions‟ were designed and imposed by external actors either because they worked elsewhere or because they were influenced by geopolitical, economic and/or security interests of powerful countries. Furthermore, external actors have tended to assume that generic approaches based on the liberal peace framework can work in all places, while ignoring local actors, contexts and knowledge. Focusing on Bosnia and Herzegovina, South Sudan and Somaliland, this exploratory qualitative study critically explores and assesses both externally and internally driven post-war reconstruction and development practices and operations in order to understand the strengths and shortcomings of both approaches and offer recommendations for future improvements. This is important since socio-economic recovery and economic development are crucial for lasting stability and peace in post-war countries.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Assemblage dynamics of larval fishes associated with various shallow water nursery habitats in Algoa Bay, South Africa
- Authors: Pattrick, Paula
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Spawning -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Fishes -- Larvae -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10727 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021042
- Description: The success of the larval stage in fishes plays a critical role in structuring adult fish populations. It is well understood that juveniles of many marine fish species are closely associated with nearshore and coastal habitats that serve as nursery areas while adult assemblages are more widely distributed. The larval phase however, particularly pertaining to nursery habitat use, remains poorly understood in South Africa. A mixed-method, larval and juvenile fish study was conducted in the warm-temperate shallow coastal waters of Algoa Bay, South Africa. Two years (2010 – 2012) of seasonal sampling at 27 stations at various habitat types revealed distinct spatio-temporal patterns in larval fish composition and abundance. In total, 164 species from 50 families were collected in the nearshore (<30 m), over reef and sand, in the surf zone and large estuarine habitats in Algoa Bay. Engraulidae dominated the larval fish catch in the nearshore (38.4 percent) and over the selected reef and sand habitats (37.8 percent). Cynoglossidae (28.1 percent) and Sparidae (8.4 percent) were the second and third most abundant fish families in the nearshore. In subtidal reef and sand habitats, Gobiidae (23.4 percent) and Clupeidae (9.2 percent) were the second and third most abundant families respectively. Sparidae dominated (71.4 percent) surf zones followed by Soleidae (10.8 percent) and Mugilidae (5.3 percent), while in the mouth area of two permanently open estuaries in Algoa Bay, Gobiidae (35.9 percent) Sparidae (30.1 percent) and Mugilidae (12.4 percent) dominated. Several species from the Blenniidae, Gobiesocidae, Gobiidae, Scorpaenidae and Tripterygiidae fish families complete their pelagic larval phase in the reef habitats in Algoa Bay. These reef habitats therefore serve as important nursery areas for the larvae of benthic species. The sand and nearshore habitats serve as nursery areas for Clupeidae and Engraulidae. Highest densities of Carangidae, Sciaenidae and Sparidae larvae were observed at the subtidal reef habitats indicating that this area is important for accumulation of the early developmental stages of these fishes. The nearshore serves as an important accumulation habitat for species in the Haemulidae and Soleidae families whose juveniles are known to recruit into estuarine nursery areas. The nearshore therefore is a specific area of presettlement buildup of larvae prior to settlement of larvae or juveniles in estuarine nursery areas. Cynoglossidae larvae are also using the nearshore as an accumulation area prior to settlement and recruitment into adult populations occurring in shallow water habitats. In the surf zone, not only are estuary-dependent fish species utilizing this habitat as a nursery area, but marinespecies whose adults are either associated with rocky shores or surf zones are similarly using these areas as nursery habitats. In addition, estuary-dependent fish species which spawn in the marine environment are actively recruiting into estuarine nursery areas on both tides. Active recruitment against the outgoing ebb tide flow was a conclusive finding in this study. These larvae and juveniles are actively swimming against the ebb tide in the shallower, slower-flowing marginal areas where current flow is reduced. Strong environmental gradients on multiple temporal and spatial scales occur in Algoa Bay. Seasonal patterns were evident in larval densities, richness and diversity. Peaks in density, richness and diversity occurred during spring and summer (September to February) associated with increasing water temperatures and a high productivity providing a good food environment for larval fishes. Thereafter densities declined steadily as a result of natural mortality, settlement or adult spawning activity, until autumn when numbers dropped suddenly as the surviving larvae moved to settlement habitats. The relationship between larval fish and environmental variables provides information useful to determine distributions. Therefore the Bay is particularly suited for modelling larval fish distributions. Using generalized linear models, larval fish density in the nearshore of Algoa Bay responded to different ocean features to varying degrees. Larval fish density responded positively to both upwelling and when warm water plumes, originating from an Agulhas Current meander, entered Algoa Bay. On subtidal reefs, habitat complexity played an important role in determining larval fish composition and diversity. The less structurally complex, reefassociated sand habitats, yielded higher species richness and diversity than the high and low profile reef habitats. Therefore, it is likely that the importance of less structurally complex habitats has been overlooked relative to other habitats in terms of their function for larval fishes. In the surf zone, wave period and wave height, which can be related to exposure, were the most significant environmental factors influencing larval fish assemblages. Greatest species diversity was observed in the surf zone habitats heavily influenced by wave action in the windward sector of Algoa Bay. The identification of spawning areas and the mapping of distributions of early developmental stages of fishes are important in providing data pertaining to the protection of these habitats. This is particularly relevant as a new marine protected area MPA)is planned for the eastern sector of Algoa Bay. Results from retrogressive plots indicate that the spawning locations of several species of coastal and pelagic fishes are occurring outside of the Bay, with the bay therefore serving as an accumulation area. Furthermore, distribution modelling results demonstrate that the early developmental stages of fishes in the shallow coastal habitats of Algoa Bay exhibit high spatial variability in their distributions. Results presented in this thesis help fill the knowledge gaps critical to the understanding of larval fish nursery areas of several economically and ecologically important fish species in Algoa Bay.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Pattrick, Paula
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Spawning -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay , Fishes -- Larvae -- South Africa -- Algoa Bay
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10727 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021042
- Description: The success of the larval stage in fishes plays a critical role in structuring adult fish populations. It is well understood that juveniles of many marine fish species are closely associated with nearshore and coastal habitats that serve as nursery areas while adult assemblages are more widely distributed. The larval phase however, particularly pertaining to nursery habitat use, remains poorly understood in South Africa. A mixed-method, larval and juvenile fish study was conducted in the warm-temperate shallow coastal waters of Algoa Bay, South Africa. Two years (2010 – 2012) of seasonal sampling at 27 stations at various habitat types revealed distinct spatio-temporal patterns in larval fish composition and abundance. In total, 164 species from 50 families were collected in the nearshore (<30 m), over reef and sand, in the surf zone and large estuarine habitats in Algoa Bay. Engraulidae dominated the larval fish catch in the nearshore (38.4 percent) and over the selected reef and sand habitats (37.8 percent). Cynoglossidae (28.1 percent) and Sparidae (8.4 percent) were the second and third most abundant fish families in the nearshore. In subtidal reef and sand habitats, Gobiidae (23.4 percent) and Clupeidae (9.2 percent) were the second and third most abundant families respectively. Sparidae dominated (71.4 percent) surf zones followed by Soleidae (10.8 percent) and Mugilidae (5.3 percent), while in the mouth area of two permanently open estuaries in Algoa Bay, Gobiidae (35.9 percent) Sparidae (30.1 percent) and Mugilidae (12.4 percent) dominated. Several species from the Blenniidae, Gobiesocidae, Gobiidae, Scorpaenidae and Tripterygiidae fish families complete their pelagic larval phase in the reef habitats in Algoa Bay. These reef habitats therefore serve as important nursery areas for the larvae of benthic species. The sand and nearshore habitats serve as nursery areas for Clupeidae and Engraulidae. Highest densities of Carangidae, Sciaenidae and Sparidae larvae were observed at the subtidal reef habitats indicating that this area is important for accumulation of the early developmental stages of these fishes. The nearshore serves as an important accumulation habitat for species in the Haemulidae and Soleidae families whose juveniles are known to recruit into estuarine nursery areas. The nearshore therefore is a specific area of presettlement buildup of larvae prior to settlement of larvae or juveniles in estuarine nursery areas. Cynoglossidae larvae are also using the nearshore as an accumulation area prior to settlement and recruitment into adult populations occurring in shallow water habitats. In the surf zone, not only are estuary-dependent fish species utilizing this habitat as a nursery area, but marinespecies whose adults are either associated with rocky shores or surf zones are similarly using these areas as nursery habitats. In addition, estuary-dependent fish species which spawn in the marine environment are actively recruiting into estuarine nursery areas on both tides. Active recruitment against the outgoing ebb tide flow was a conclusive finding in this study. These larvae and juveniles are actively swimming against the ebb tide in the shallower, slower-flowing marginal areas where current flow is reduced. Strong environmental gradients on multiple temporal and spatial scales occur in Algoa Bay. Seasonal patterns were evident in larval densities, richness and diversity. Peaks in density, richness and diversity occurred during spring and summer (September to February) associated with increasing water temperatures and a high productivity providing a good food environment for larval fishes. Thereafter densities declined steadily as a result of natural mortality, settlement or adult spawning activity, until autumn when numbers dropped suddenly as the surviving larvae moved to settlement habitats. The relationship between larval fish and environmental variables provides information useful to determine distributions. Therefore the Bay is particularly suited for modelling larval fish distributions. Using generalized linear models, larval fish density in the nearshore of Algoa Bay responded to different ocean features to varying degrees. Larval fish density responded positively to both upwelling and when warm water plumes, originating from an Agulhas Current meander, entered Algoa Bay. On subtidal reefs, habitat complexity played an important role in determining larval fish composition and diversity. The less structurally complex, reefassociated sand habitats, yielded higher species richness and diversity than the high and low profile reef habitats. Therefore, it is likely that the importance of less structurally complex habitats has been overlooked relative to other habitats in terms of their function for larval fishes. In the surf zone, wave period and wave height, which can be related to exposure, were the most significant environmental factors influencing larval fish assemblages. Greatest species diversity was observed in the surf zone habitats heavily influenced by wave action in the windward sector of Algoa Bay. The identification of spawning areas and the mapping of distributions of early developmental stages of fishes are important in providing data pertaining to the protection of these habitats. This is particularly relevant as a new marine protected area MPA)is planned for the eastern sector of Algoa Bay. Results from retrogressive plots indicate that the spawning locations of several species of coastal and pelagic fishes are occurring outside of the Bay, with the bay therefore serving as an accumulation area. Furthermore, distribution modelling results demonstrate that the early developmental stages of fishes in the shallow coastal habitats of Algoa Bay exhibit high spatial variability in their distributions. Results presented in this thesis help fill the knowledge gaps critical to the understanding of larval fish nursery areas of several economically and ecologically important fish species in Algoa Bay.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Integration of values into management of learners' discipline in Ugandan schools
- Authors: Sekiwu, Denis
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: School management and organization -- Uganda , School discipline -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9583 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020814
- Description: To make education a profitable enterprise and contributor to social development requires that schools infuse values into schooling as part of the ethical construction of learners and citizenship building. This research used Kampala district as the case study to conduct a qualitative inquiry with grounded theory to examine the integration of values into the management of learners’ discipline in Ugandan schools. Using a sample of 60 participants, the researcher gathered data using personal interviews, focus group interviews, and documentary analysis. Through the analysis of this data, the researcher established that the School Governing Body (SGB), government, educators, missionaries and the community are stakeholders highly involved in directing the process of values integration into learners’ discipline. He also discerned that different schools impart moral, spiritual, academic, aesthetic, social and universal values into the learners. However with the 1963 Castle Report on Education that led to the nationalization and secularization of schools, denominational schools strongly felt that government robbed them of their powers to control and manage schools through the “principle of subsidiarity”. This seems to have led to the gradual erosion of values and breakdown of discipline in the denominational schools as well as the others. The central argument of this thesis is that integrating values into school discipline in Uganda would result into an inclusive education system that supports both theist and atheist attitudes towards formal schooling. Some respondents argued that values should be directly integrated into learners’ discipline while others opposed values integration. Those who supported values integration into school discipline pointed out that it is an integral part of life-education. On the other hand, those who oppose integrating values argued that values integration might be misused to impose secular influences on the learners. The existing avenues of optimal integration of values into school discipline include use of physical punishment and restorative justice, although custodial methods are widely condemned by human rights activists for being too harsh, punitive and retaliatory. Restorative justice methods used include the use of religious and social clubs as well as counseling and guidance. Collective stakeholder participation in school management is also widely used where school management, government, parents and the community take on a collaborative role in empowering and creating an environment for positive discipline. Finally, missionary educators play a significant role in learners’ behavioural modification. The challenges of values integration into school discipline, on the other hand, are policy-related; including poor school administrative styles, failure to define which values to emphasize in disciplinary management, lack of staff motivation and educators’ unethical behaviour. The classroom-related challenges were an over emphasis on academic values that, consequently, turn education into a theoretical rather than a practical exercise. This is compounded by the poor teaching methodologies used like rote-learning due to the problem of dealing with large classes especially in UPE and USE schools and the strict emphasis on an examination-centered syllabus. The social-related challenge observed was the negative influence of the media on young people’s life styles, consequently, leading to permissiveness, aggressive, violent and militant behaviours now common in schools. The study underscored the need to emphasise stakeholder responsibility in school disciplinary management, and the necessity to offer visionary and collegial leadership, identify a common set of values critical to the promotion of life-long learning, promotion of life-education to ensure formation of morally upright learners, and encourage inclusive education (UBUNTUISM). Government should draft a national education philosophy to guide schools in integration of values education, emphasizing secular, moral and religious values, as well as the need for restorative justice, and employing more pragmatic teaching methodologies. There is also the need to create role-models and staff motivation. All these are cardinal remedies in ensuring constructive school discipline. Finally, the central theory that explains the integration is an Integrated Values Framework (IVF) for Positive Discipline (PD). It advocates that discipline is a process of nurturing learners through the provision of inclusive education, life-long learning and citizenship building.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Sekiwu, Denis
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: School management and organization -- Uganda , School discipline -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9583 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020814
- Description: To make education a profitable enterprise and contributor to social development requires that schools infuse values into schooling as part of the ethical construction of learners and citizenship building. This research used Kampala district as the case study to conduct a qualitative inquiry with grounded theory to examine the integration of values into the management of learners’ discipline in Ugandan schools. Using a sample of 60 participants, the researcher gathered data using personal interviews, focus group interviews, and documentary analysis. Through the analysis of this data, the researcher established that the School Governing Body (SGB), government, educators, missionaries and the community are stakeholders highly involved in directing the process of values integration into learners’ discipline. He also discerned that different schools impart moral, spiritual, academic, aesthetic, social and universal values into the learners. However with the 1963 Castle Report on Education that led to the nationalization and secularization of schools, denominational schools strongly felt that government robbed them of their powers to control and manage schools through the “principle of subsidiarity”. This seems to have led to the gradual erosion of values and breakdown of discipline in the denominational schools as well as the others. The central argument of this thesis is that integrating values into school discipline in Uganda would result into an inclusive education system that supports both theist and atheist attitudes towards formal schooling. Some respondents argued that values should be directly integrated into learners’ discipline while others opposed values integration. Those who supported values integration into school discipline pointed out that it is an integral part of life-education. On the other hand, those who oppose integrating values argued that values integration might be misused to impose secular influences on the learners. The existing avenues of optimal integration of values into school discipline include use of physical punishment and restorative justice, although custodial methods are widely condemned by human rights activists for being too harsh, punitive and retaliatory. Restorative justice methods used include the use of religious and social clubs as well as counseling and guidance. Collective stakeholder participation in school management is also widely used where school management, government, parents and the community take on a collaborative role in empowering and creating an environment for positive discipline. Finally, missionary educators play a significant role in learners’ behavioural modification. The challenges of values integration into school discipline, on the other hand, are policy-related; including poor school administrative styles, failure to define which values to emphasize in disciplinary management, lack of staff motivation and educators’ unethical behaviour. The classroom-related challenges were an over emphasis on academic values that, consequently, turn education into a theoretical rather than a practical exercise. This is compounded by the poor teaching methodologies used like rote-learning due to the problem of dealing with large classes especially in UPE and USE schools and the strict emphasis on an examination-centered syllabus. The social-related challenge observed was the negative influence of the media on young people’s life styles, consequently, leading to permissiveness, aggressive, violent and militant behaviours now common in schools. The study underscored the need to emphasise stakeholder responsibility in school disciplinary management, and the necessity to offer visionary and collegial leadership, identify a common set of values critical to the promotion of life-long learning, promotion of life-education to ensure formation of morally upright learners, and encourage inclusive education (UBUNTUISM). Government should draft a national education philosophy to guide schools in integration of values education, emphasizing secular, moral and religious values, as well as the need for restorative justice, and employing more pragmatic teaching methodologies. There is also the need to create role-models and staff motivation. All these are cardinal remedies in ensuring constructive school discipline. Finally, the central theory that explains the integration is an Integrated Values Framework (IVF) for Positive Discipline (PD). It advocates that discipline is a process of nurturing learners through the provision of inclusive education, life-long learning and citizenship building.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Development of a creep sample retrieval technique and friction weld site repair procedure
- Authors: Wedderburn, Ian Norman
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Friction welding
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9635 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020116
- Description: The remnant life monitoring of creep loaded high temperature and pressure components in power stations is critical to ensuring their safe and cost effective operation as failures can have severe consequences. Effective creep life condition monitoring allows for optimising component life predictions and subsequent plant maintenance decisions. In South Africa many power generation stations have been in operation well beyond their 30 year design service life, as such knowledge of the remnant creep life of high temperature and pressure components, such as steam pipelines, becomes of utmost importance. Techniques for the remnant creep life assessments of critical high temperature and pressure components must therefore be as effective as possible. The common and well accepted in-situ inspection technique for assessing creep damage in steam pipes is by the metallographic replication technique. The technique is however limited to the outer surface of the pipe, without information on damage within the wall. This research will illustrate a means of obtaining a sample for creep life analysis with depth through the wall of a pipe, as wells as an alternative technique for the repair of the sample retrieval site. A sample retrieval technique was developed that would retrieve a small diameter cylindrical sample from a cored blind hole for creep analysis by visual creep void assessment or by the small punch creep test. The small punch creep test requires only a small diameter thin disc of material for testing for which its results are comparable with conventional uniaxial creep testing which requires a much larger sample of material. The smaller sample requirement of the small punch creep test therefore allows for a vastly reduced invasive sample retrieval operation and consequently smaller repair size area. Also the fact that the sample is retrieved from a blind hole is advantageous since the pipe wall is not penetrated which would require full plant shutdown. A friction welding technique was identified as an alternative to traditional arc fusion welding for the repair of the sample retrieval site, this technique being the Friction Hydro Pillar Processing technique. Friction Hydro Pillar Processing is a solid-state welding technique and as such has a number of inherent benefits over arc fusion welding as the weld is performed below the melting temperature of the material. From a process point of view Friction Hydro Pillar Processing is ideally suited for automation, has virtually no fumes generated, minimal distortion is experienced and no spatter has to be removed afterwards. The technique has yet to see industrial application and as such development of suitable process parameters was undertaken. Finally, to apply the sample retrieval and repair operations in-situ to a steam pipe in a power plant suitable equipment was developed. Existing friction welding equipment is generally bulky workshop based equipment and is unsuitable for on-site work due to its size and weight. Therefore development of dedicated equipment was required to enable Friction Hydro Pillar Processing to be applied to steam pipes within a power plant environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Wedderburn, Ian Norman
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Friction welding
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9635 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020116
- Description: The remnant life monitoring of creep loaded high temperature and pressure components in power stations is critical to ensuring their safe and cost effective operation as failures can have severe consequences. Effective creep life condition monitoring allows for optimising component life predictions and subsequent plant maintenance decisions. In South Africa many power generation stations have been in operation well beyond their 30 year design service life, as such knowledge of the remnant creep life of high temperature and pressure components, such as steam pipelines, becomes of utmost importance. Techniques for the remnant creep life assessments of critical high temperature and pressure components must therefore be as effective as possible. The common and well accepted in-situ inspection technique for assessing creep damage in steam pipes is by the metallographic replication technique. The technique is however limited to the outer surface of the pipe, without information on damage within the wall. This research will illustrate a means of obtaining a sample for creep life analysis with depth through the wall of a pipe, as wells as an alternative technique for the repair of the sample retrieval site. A sample retrieval technique was developed that would retrieve a small diameter cylindrical sample from a cored blind hole for creep analysis by visual creep void assessment or by the small punch creep test. The small punch creep test requires only a small diameter thin disc of material for testing for which its results are comparable with conventional uniaxial creep testing which requires a much larger sample of material. The smaller sample requirement of the small punch creep test therefore allows for a vastly reduced invasive sample retrieval operation and consequently smaller repair size area. Also the fact that the sample is retrieved from a blind hole is advantageous since the pipe wall is not penetrated which would require full plant shutdown. A friction welding technique was identified as an alternative to traditional arc fusion welding for the repair of the sample retrieval site, this technique being the Friction Hydro Pillar Processing technique. Friction Hydro Pillar Processing is a solid-state welding technique and as such has a number of inherent benefits over arc fusion welding as the weld is performed below the melting temperature of the material. From a process point of view Friction Hydro Pillar Processing is ideally suited for automation, has virtually no fumes generated, minimal distortion is experienced and no spatter has to be removed afterwards. The technique has yet to see industrial application and as such development of suitable process parameters was undertaken. Finally, to apply the sample retrieval and repair operations in-situ to a steam pipe in a power plant suitable equipment was developed. Existing friction welding equipment is generally bulky workshop based equipment and is unsuitable for on-site work due to its size and weight. Therefore development of dedicated equipment was required to enable Friction Hydro Pillar Processing to be applied to steam pipes within a power plant environment.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Process heat flow model for temperature and hardness prediction during friction taper stud welding of AISI 4140
- Van Zyl, Carlo Angelo Antonio
- Authors: Van Zyl, Carlo Angelo Antonio
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Friction welding Pressure welding
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47780 , vital:40373
- Description: Friction Taper Stud Welding (FTSW) is a relatively new solid state welding process, developed from the concepts of friction welding, which theoretically operates below the melting temperatures of the material being welded. During friction welding, heat is generated by conversion of mechanical energy into thermal energy at the interface of the work pieces, during rotation under pressure. Quality welds are dependant on the correct selection of welding process parameters, which are currently chosen empirically, and the FTSW evaluated by mechanical testing. This method is time consuming, uneconomical and could cause that optimised conditions are overlooked. A proposed solution would be to numerically model the process, but reference to successful computational modelling of the FTSW process is currently not available and data regarding the responses during the process are limited. The ultimate aim of the present study is to develop a finite element model to simulate the FTSW process using AISI 4140 medium carbon low alloy steel, delivering temperature profiles and hardness predictions through the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) – using a combined experimental and numerical study. To achieve the objectives of this study a systematic approach was adopted and conducted in several phases. A weld matrix was configured with ranging weld input parameters to determine the affect of weld input parameters on real-time responses. To provide a relationship between these factors, welding was conducted using a portable friction taper stud welding platform linked to a control and data logging system for measuring the real time axial forces, spindle speed, material displacement, torque and temperature responses as a function of time. The input process parameters applied being motor speed, axial forces, displacement and forging time. The temperature distribution through the weld, by direct measurement, as a function of weld time and position is investigated. During the experimental welds temperature responses, as influenced by welding parameters, were recorded using embedded N-Type thermocouples at various locations in the near vicinity of the weld interface. The main hot spots during welding were identified to be close to the top surface just before weld completion and at the bottom centre surface of the plug weld at the interface line. All the welds showed similar trends and a maximum temperature of 1078°C at the bottom of the weld was reached for a rotational tool speed of 5160rpm, axial friction force of 15kN and displacement of 6.5mm, due to the heat generated by friction between the tool and weld coupon. The weld torque increase rapidly at the start of the weld and reached a peak value shortly after the start of the weld, while a peak temperature of 1366°C, for a rotational tool speed of 5160rpm, axial friction force of 10kN and displacement of 8mm was reached at the top edge of the plug weld. This position of anticipated peak temperature value is due to the heat transferred during the FTSW process together with the accumulation of expelled material forming on the surface of the weld coupon. Statistical methods were applied to obtain knowledge of the trends and relationship between weld input parameters for various weld responses, including energy input, temperature, friction time, torque and displacement rate. Although it was shown that no single parameter solely controls the temperature gradients in the weld, the dominant influence of the rotational speed at the bottom of the weld and that of the displacement, at the top of the weld, were evident. The peak temperatures during the weld are of interest as these temperatures, together with the subsequent cooling rates, determine the Vickers hardness, of the material, through the weld. Spindle speed was found to have the dominant effect on temperature in the bottom half of the weld with displacement having a contributive effect closer to the top of the weld. Friction force dominate the effect on friction time, displacement rate and total energy input with friction force and spindle speed having an equal effect on torque. The multiple regression analysis resulted in valid models with varied, but acceptable accuracy with the equation for friction time resulting in an R predict value of 93.34%. These models provided a clear insight to the influence of weld input parameters on the weld responses and the model for friction time was used as an input parameter to the FTS welding simulation. The accurate prediction of the interface temperature is fundamental for process optimisation which will allow for producing consistent, reliable plug welds. A fully coupled transient two-dimensional axi-symmetrical analysis of heat flow during the FTSW process of AISI 4140 steel and subsequent Vickers hardness profiles through the HAZ, making use of numeric simulation applied in the commercially available FEA software, COMSOL Multiphysics®, is developed and reported on. Process optimisation hinges on a better understanding of the heat distribution during welding, making a major contribution to the resultant hardness. The thermal-plastic flow coupling of the model is such that temperature values are resolved together with that of the velocity field. The simulation utilises a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) two phase laminar flow and Heat Transfer physics, applied in an Eulerian mesh-based scheme. The viscosity of the fluid is based on a constitutive law of the flow stress using the Zener-Hollomon parameter with a flow model based on the Navier-Stokes’ equations to simulate the plastic deformation. Temperature dependant thermo-physical material properties and coefficient of friction are applied, and the application of viscous heating is controlled by a material state variable. The heat source model, required for material softening, is applied as two components, frictional and shear, with the heat source moving along the z-axis delivering sufficient energy to soften the metal, causing flow. The Navier-Stokes approach is applied with solid-state material transport during the weld based on laminar, viscous flow of a non-Newtonian fluid, dependant on temperature and strain rate. Numerically calculated values for temperature profiles and peak temperatures through to the weld as well as subsequent Vickers hardness profiles at points through the HAZ, obtained from the Finite Element model, were found to be in close agreement with values from trial welds. The largest variance was 19% for the peak temperature of weld E4W2, applying an axial friction force of 7.5kN, 6.5mm displacement and a tool rotational speed of 4080rpm – resulting in a friction time of 330 seconds. Predictions of hardness are found to be between 0% and 19% (mean 3%) of experimentally determined values with the biggest variance at the positions of peak temperatures due to the friction interfaces. The heat applied as a result of plastic deformation was found to be 5.4% of the total heat. The FTSW model predicts the temperatures at the friction interface, during the welding process, to be within the range, and frequently exceeding the solidus temperature of AISI 4140 steel. Results show that the models applied in the FTSW simulation show good agreement when compared to experimental values. The main contribution of this thesis, towards knowledge of the FTSW process, is: The relationships between weld input parameters and responses; Temperature dependant models of thermo-physical properties for AISI 4140 in the high temperature region (ranging from ambient to the solidus temperature); Successful application of the Navier-Stokes approach to simulate the plastic flow during FTSW and A numerical finite element model for the prediction of temperature gradients and hardness profiles through a FTSW.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Van Zyl, Carlo Angelo Antonio
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Friction welding Pressure welding
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/47780 , vital:40373
- Description: Friction Taper Stud Welding (FTSW) is a relatively new solid state welding process, developed from the concepts of friction welding, which theoretically operates below the melting temperatures of the material being welded. During friction welding, heat is generated by conversion of mechanical energy into thermal energy at the interface of the work pieces, during rotation under pressure. Quality welds are dependant on the correct selection of welding process parameters, which are currently chosen empirically, and the FTSW evaluated by mechanical testing. This method is time consuming, uneconomical and could cause that optimised conditions are overlooked. A proposed solution would be to numerically model the process, but reference to successful computational modelling of the FTSW process is currently not available and data regarding the responses during the process are limited. The ultimate aim of the present study is to develop a finite element model to simulate the FTSW process using AISI 4140 medium carbon low alloy steel, delivering temperature profiles and hardness predictions through the Heat Affected Zone (HAZ) – using a combined experimental and numerical study. To achieve the objectives of this study a systematic approach was adopted and conducted in several phases. A weld matrix was configured with ranging weld input parameters to determine the affect of weld input parameters on real-time responses. To provide a relationship between these factors, welding was conducted using a portable friction taper stud welding platform linked to a control and data logging system for measuring the real time axial forces, spindle speed, material displacement, torque and temperature responses as a function of time. The input process parameters applied being motor speed, axial forces, displacement and forging time. The temperature distribution through the weld, by direct measurement, as a function of weld time and position is investigated. During the experimental welds temperature responses, as influenced by welding parameters, were recorded using embedded N-Type thermocouples at various locations in the near vicinity of the weld interface. The main hot spots during welding were identified to be close to the top surface just before weld completion and at the bottom centre surface of the plug weld at the interface line. All the welds showed similar trends and a maximum temperature of 1078°C at the bottom of the weld was reached for a rotational tool speed of 5160rpm, axial friction force of 15kN and displacement of 6.5mm, due to the heat generated by friction between the tool and weld coupon. The weld torque increase rapidly at the start of the weld and reached a peak value shortly after the start of the weld, while a peak temperature of 1366°C, for a rotational tool speed of 5160rpm, axial friction force of 10kN and displacement of 8mm was reached at the top edge of the plug weld. This position of anticipated peak temperature value is due to the heat transferred during the FTSW process together with the accumulation of expelled material forming on the surface of the weld coupon. Statistical methods were applied to obtain knowledge of the trends and relationship between weld input parameters for various weld responses, including energy input, temperature, friction time, torque and displacement rate. Although it was shown that no single parameter solely controls the temperature gradients in the weld, the dominant influence of the rotational speed at the bottom of the weld and that of the displacement, at the top of the weld, were evident. The peak temperatures during the weld are of interest as these temperatures, together with the subsequent cooling rates, determine the Vickers hardness, of the material, through the weld. Spindle speed was found to have the dominant effect on temperature in the bottom half of the weld with displacement having a contributive effect closer to the top of the weld. Friction force dominate the effect on friction time, displacement rate and total energy input with friction force and spindle speed having an equal effect on torque. The multiple regression analysis resulted in valid models with varied, but acceptable accuracy with the equation for friction time resulting in an R predict value of 93.34%. These models provided a clear insight to the influence of weld input parameters on the weld responses and the model for friction time was used as an input parameter to the FTS welding simulation. The accurate prediction of the interface temperature is fundamental for process optimisation which will allow for producing consistent, reliable plug welds. A fully coupled transient two-dimensional axi-symmetrical analysis of heat flow during the FTSW process of AISI 4140 steel and subsequent Vickers hardness profiles through the HAZ, making use of numeric simulation applied in the commercially available FEA software, COMSOL Multiphysics®, is developed and reported on. Process optimisation hinges on a better understanding of the heat distribution during welding, making a major contribution to the resultant hardness. The thermal-plastic flow coupling of the model is such that temperature values are resolved together with that of the velocity field. The simulation utilises a Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) two phase laminar flow and Heat Transfer physics, applied in an Eulerian mesh-based scheme. The viscosity of the fluid is based on a constitutive law of the flow stress using the Zener-Hollomon parameter with a flow model based on the Navier-Stokes’ equations to simulate the plastic deformation. Temperature dependant thermo-physical material properties and coefficient of friction are applied, and the application of viscous heating is controlled by a material state variable. The heat source model, required for material softening, is applied as two components, frictional and shear, with the heat source moving along the z-axis delivering sufficient energy to soften the metal, causing flow. The Navier-Stokes approach is applied with solid-state material transport during the weld based on laminar, viscous flow of a non-Newtonian fluid, dependant on temperature and strain rate. Numerically calculated values for temperature profiles and peak temperatures through to the weld as well as subsequent Vickers hardness profiles at points through the HAZ, obtained from the Finite Element model, were found to be in close agreement with values from trial welds. The largest variance was 19% for the peak temperature of weld E4W2, applying an axial friction force of 7.5kN, 6.5mm displacement and a tool rotational speed of 4080rpm – resulting in a friction time of 330 seconds. Predictions of hardness are found to be between 0% and 19% (mean 3%) of experimentally determined values with the biggest variance at the positions of peak temperatures due to the friction interfaces. The heat applied as a result of plastic deformation was found to be 5.4% of the total heat. The FTSW model predicts the temperatures at the friction interface, during the welding process, to be within the range, and frequently exceeding the solidus temperature of AISI 4140 steel. Results show that the models applied in the FTSW simulation show good agreement when compared to experimental values. The main contribution of this thesis, towards knowledge of the FTSW process, is: The relationships between weld input parameters and responses; Temperature dependant models of thermo-physical properties for AISI 4140 in the high temperature region (ranging from ambient to the solidus temperature); Successful application of the Navier-Stokes approach to simulate the plastic flow during FTSW and A numerical finite element model for the prediction of temperature gradients and hardness profiles through a FTSW.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The influence of service performance measurement on service delivery: expectations of university students in Kenya
- Authors: Mbuthia, Lydia Muthoni
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- Kenya -- Administration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021064
- Description: The demand for university education has increased at a higher rate than the resources available for universities to offer the required services. In Kenya, the demand for university education has continued to rise with university enrolment increasing tremendously over the last four decades. This growth calls for an investigation to find out the impact of this expansion on service delivery in universities. Kenya has thirty-nine fully-fledged universities that have been accredited by the Commission for University Education (as at 31st March 2013). Twelve others are operating with interim letters of authority (ILO). This development has created competition amongst universities and, as a result, necessitated the development of strategies to ensure survival in this changing environment. The review of existing literature on this subject has established that service delivery is a service differentiator and therefore could be utilised by universities to gain a competitive advantage and therefore enhance their overall performances. Based on this background, this study sought to establish the influence of service performance measurement on service delivery in relation to the expectations of university students in Kenya. Secondary sources were used to formulate a theoretical model of the influence of service performance measurement on service delivery that guided this study. The theoretical model indicates that non-academic aspects, academic aspects, reputation, programme issues and access factors may influence service delivery at the university. These five dimensions were used in the study as the independent variables of service delivery at the university. The outcomes of service delivery at the university were identified as student expectations, student satisfaction, student loyalty and student retention in the theoretical model; these were treated as dependent variables. Hypotheses were formulated that proposed relationships between the independent variables and service delivery. Hypotheses in respect of relationships between service delivery and the outcomes were also developed. A quantitative research approach was adopted to empirically evaluate the relationships between service delivery and the variables in this study. Data for the study was collected through the use of a structured self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to 720 university students in Kenya. Six hundred and thirty useful survey responses were received from fifteen universities. The data collected was subjected to factor analysis and multiple regression analysis to test the hypothesised relationships between the variables and service delivery. Descriptive statistics were also obtained from the raw data. The findings of this study indicate that non-academic aspects, academic aspects and access factors have positive and significant influence on service delivery in Kenyan universities. The quality and adequacy of academic, entertainment and sports facilities together with increased accessibility to services by students are important factors that influence service delivery at a university. The university students would like to be treated with respect and courtesy by academic and administrative staff during these service encounters. The empirical results of the study also reveal that student perceptions of service delivery impacts positively on student expectations, student loyalty and student retention related to convenience as well as student retention related to quality assurance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mbuthia, Lydia Muthoni
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- Kenya -- Administration
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9233 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021064
- Description: The demand for university education has increased at a higher rate than the resources available for universities to offer the required services. In Kenya, the demand for university education has continued to rise with university enrolment increasing tremendously over the last four decades. This growth calls for an investigation to find out the impact of this expansion on service delivery in universities. Kenya has thirty-nine fully-fledged universities that have been accredited by the Commission for University Education (as at 31st March 2013). Twelve others are operating with interim letters of authority (ILO). This development has created competition amongst universities and, as a result, necessitated the development of strategies to ensure survival in this changing environment. The review of existing literature on this subject has established that service delivery is a service differentiator and therefore could be utilised by universities to gain a competitive advantage and therefore enhance their overall performances. Based on this background, this study sought to establish the influence of service performance measurement on service delivery in relation to the expectations of university students in Kenya. Secondary sources were used to formulate a theoretical model of the influence of service performance measurement on service delivery that guided this study. The theoretical model indicates that non-academic aspects, academic aspects, reputation, programme issues and access factors may influence service delivery at the university. These five dimensions were used in the study as the independent variables of service delivery at the university. The outcomes of service delivery at the university were identified as student expectations, student satisfaction, student loyalty and student retention in the theoretical model; these were treated as dependent variables. Hypotheses were formulated that proposed relationships between the independent variables and service delivery. Hypotheses in respect of relationships between service delivery and the outcomes were also developed. A quantitative research approach was adopted to empirically evaluate the relationships between service delivery and the variables in this study. Data for the study was collected through the use of a structured self-administered questionnaire that was distributed to 720 university students in Kenya. Six hundred and thirty useful survey responses were received from fifteen universities. The data collected was subjected to factor analysis and multiple regression analysis to test the hypothesised relationships between the variables and service delivery. Descriptive statistics were also obtained from the raw data. The findings of this study indicate that non-academic aspects, academic aspects and access factors have positive and significant influence on service delivery in Kenyan universities. The quality and adequacy of academic, entertainment and sports facilities together with increased accessibility to services by students are important factors that influence service delivery at a university. The university students would like to be treated with respect and courtesy by academic and administrative staff during these service encounters. The empirical results of the study also reveal that student perceptions of service delivery impacts positively on student expectations, student loyalty and student retention related to convenience as well as student retention related to quality assurance.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Mentoring for best educational practice : a generic framework for whole school transformation within dysfunctional senior secondary schools, South Africa
- Authors: Mohamed, Gishma
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Education -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Low-performing schools -- South Africa , Social change -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9463 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020347
- Description: During transformation (1994 onwards), different interventions were instituted within Education as an attempt to redress learner achievement and throughput. By so doing, the South African government believed that by investing in education a return would be attained which would be beneficial to stabilising its economy — nationally and internationally. However, expected outcomes of these interventions have not been achieved and various researchers and opinion leaders still view the quality of education in South Africa as disparaging and deficient as well as characterised by an increasing prevalence of dysfunctional schooling systems. Therefore, this research aimed to design a generic mentoring framework through which transformation within dysfunctional schooling systems can be facilitated; this is to enable whole school development to achieve best educational practice. In order to achieve this, a micro-level analysis of schooling systems, using the functionalist perspective, specifically enabled through the contributions of Parsons and Merton was undertaken. In addition, insight gained from a broad range of literature and other secondary resources on mentoring, best practice and quality education was used to develop a number of premises. These premises were used to suggest how the generic mentoring framework can be adapted to enable a fit-for-purpose mentoring system which allows facilitation of a process of sustained transformation which gravitates towards a whole school culture that envisions quality education for all. It is recommended that further research be undertaken to ascertain the strength of the generic mentoring framework and operationalising it as a fit-for-purpose mentoring system within a school in the form of a pilot study. Aligned with this, to undertake assessment research, amongst other things, to systematically and with greater depth explore the notions of intended and unintended consequences that manifest during operationalisation of a fit-for-purpose mentoring system and how these can and should be measured.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mohamed, Gishma
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Education -- Study and teaching -- South Africa , Low-performing schools -- South Africa , Social change -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9463 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020347
- Description: During transformation (1994 onwards), different interventions were instituted within Education as an attempt to redress learner achievement and throughput. By so doing, the South African government believed that by investing in education a return would be attained which would be beneficial to stabilising its economy — nationally and internationally. However, expected outcomes of these interventions have not been achieved and various researchers and opinion leaders still view the quality of education in South Africa as disparaging and deficient as well as characterised by an increasing prevalence of dysfunctional schooling systems. Therefore, this research aimed to design a generic mentoring framework through which transformation within dysfunctional schooling systems can be facilitated; this is to enable whole school development to achieve best educational practice. In order to achieve this, a micro-level analysis of schooling systems, using the functionalist perspective, specifically enabled through the contributions of Parsons and Merton was undertaken. In addition, insight gained from a broad range of literature and other secondary resources on mentoring, best practice and quality education was used to develop a number of premises. These premises were used to suggest how the generic mentoring framework can be adapted to enable a fit-for-purpose mentoring system which allows facilitation of a process of sustained transformation which gravitates towards a whole school culture that envisions quality education for all. It is recommended that further research be undertaken to ascertain the strength of the generic mentoring framework and operationalising it as a fit-for-purpose mentoring system within a school in the form of a pilot study. Aligned with this, to undertake assessment research, amongst other things, to systematically and with greater depth explore the notions of intended and unintended consequences that manifest during operationalisation of a fit-for-purpose mentoring system and how these can and should be measured.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A strategy to facilitate renewed resilience to re-establish meaning for persons with spinal cord injuries
- Authors: Willemse, Hermanus Barend
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Spinal cord -- Wounds and injuries , Spinal cord -- Wounds and injuries -- Rehabilitation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10021 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008119 , Spinal cord -- Wounds and injuries , Spinal cord -- Wounds and injuries -- Rehabilitation
- Description: Census estimates in 2010 indicated that 6,3 percent South Africans aged 5 years and older are currently classified as disabled in five of the nine provinces in the country. The national figure for 2005 was 5 percent, with the figure for females (6,5 percent) slightly higher than that for males (6,1percent). Spinal cord injured persons and their significant others experience a range of emotions which affect their relationships with themselves, others and their environment. To deal with the life-changing consequences of the injury and regain control, these persons not only require a variety of coping strategies but rediscovery of resilience is inevitable if the experience of personal purpose and meaningful existence is ever to be regained. In the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area, Port Elizabeth, South Africa – the geographical area in which this research study was undertaken - persons with spinal cord injuries have many challenges to face due to the shortcomings the existing resource for health care delivery in the post-discharge phase. The research objectives identified for the study were, firstly, to explore and describe the lived experiences of persons with spinal cord injuries; secondly, to explore and describe the lived experiences of the significant others of persons with spinal cord injuries; and thirdly, to develop a strategy to guide the professional nurse and the health care team in facilitating the health care of persons with spinal cord injuries. The study was a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual method of inquiry. The data obtained was used to formulate the strategy with its three sub-strategies to guide professional nurses and the health care team to facilitate renewed resilience and the re-establishment of meaning for persons with spinal cord injuries. Although the experiences of the significant others were explored in order to thicken the description of the experiences of persons with spinal cord injuries, the strategy developed was limited to the persons with spinal cord injuries. Although it is well documented that there are significant physical needs, the themes that emerged from the current research mostly related to psychological and social aspects. In acknowledging the human being as unitary multi-dimensional being, the researcher in his discussions and quest to address the issue of renewed resilience in spinal cord injured persons towards finding purpose and re-establishing meaning in their lives, focused on their psychological, spiritual and social health. The outcome of the study is a strategy constructed to facilitate renewed resilience, and three sub-strategies ‘addressing experienced emotions’, ‘facilitating meaningful relationships’ and ‘facilitating effective coping’. The strategy has as purpose the empowering of spinal injured persons in their efforts to re-establish meaning by serving as a tool to guide professional nurses and members of the health care team in their facilitating of renewed resilience in persons with spinal cord injury. It is envisaged that the co-ordination of the strategy will take place from the health care delivery facility nearest to the spinal cord injured individual concerned. In order for persons with spinal cord injuries to become accountable members of society, all levels and aspects of care aimed at physical, psychological, spiritual and social well-being need to be holistically addressed. The front-line role of the professional nurse is vital as the professional nurse acts as the co-ordinator for the health care team in ensuring that persons with spinal cord injuries receive quality and holistic care in order to deal meaningfully with the life-altering consequences of a spinal cord injury. Through this study, valuable insight was gained with regard to experiences of both persons with spinal cord injuries and that of their significant others. Recommendations were made for nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Willemse, Hermanus Barend
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Spinal cord -- Wounds and injuries , Spinal cord -- Wounds and injuries -- Rehabilitation
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10021 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1008119 , Spinal cord -- Wounds and injuries , Spinal cord -- Wounds and injuries -- Rehabilitation
- Description: Census estimates in 2010 indicated that 6,3 percent South Africans aged 5 years and older are currently classified as disabled in five of the nine provinces in the country. The national figure for 2005 was 5 percent, with the figure for females (6,5 percent) slightly higher than that for males (6,1percent). Spinal cord injured persons and their significant others experience a range of emotions which affect their relationships with themselves, others and their environment. To deal with the life-changing consequences of the injury and regain control, these persons not only require a variety of coping strategies but rediscovery of resilience is inevitable if the experience of personal purpose and meaningful existence is ever to be regained. In the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipal area, Port Elizabeth, South Africa – the geographical area in which this research study was undertaken - persons with spinal cord injuries have many challenges to face due to the shortcomings the existing resource for health care delivery in the post-discharge phase. The research objectives identified for the study were, firstly, to explore and describe the lived experiences of persons with spinal cord injuries; secondly, to explore and describe the lived experiences of the significant others of persons with spinal cord injuries; and thirdly, to develop a strategy to guide the professional nurse and the health care team in facilitating the health care of persons with spinal cord injuries. The study was a qualitative, exploratory, descriptive, and contextual method of inquiry. The data obtained was used to formulate the strategy with its three sub-strategies to guide professional nurses and the health care team to facilitate renewed resilience and the re-establishment of meaning for persons with spinal cord injuries. Although the experiences of the significant others were explored in order to thicken the description of the experiences of persons with spinal cord injuries, the strategy developed was limited to the persons with spinal cord injuries. Although it is well documented that there are significant physical needs, the themes that emerged from the current research mostly related to psychological and social aspects. In acknowledging the human being as unitary multi-dimensional being, the researcher in his discussions and quest to address the issue of renewed resilience in spinal cord injured persons towards finding purpose and re-establishing meaning in their lives, focused on their psychological, spiritual and social health. The outcome of the study is a strategy constructed to facilitate renewed resilience, and three sub-strategies ‘addressing experienced emotions’, ‘facilitating meaningful relationships’ and ‘facilitating effective coping’. The strategy has as purpose the empowering of spinal injured persons in their efforts to re-establish meaning by serving as a tool to guide professional nurses and members of the health care team in their facilitating of renewed resilience in persons with spinal cord injury. It is envisaged that the co-ordination of the strategy will take place from the health care delivery facility nearest to the spinal cord injured individual concerned. In order for persons with spinal cord injuries to become accountable members of society, all levels and aspects of care aimed at physical, psychological, spiritual and social well-being need to be holistically addressed. The front-line role of the professional nurse is vital as the professional nurse acts as the co-ordinator for the health care team in ensuring that persons with spinal cord injuries receive quality and holistic care in order to deal meaningfully with the life-altering consequences of a spinal cord injury. Through this study, valuable insight was gained with regard to experiences of both persons with spinal cord injuries and that of their significant others. Recommendations were made for nursing practice, nursing education and nursing research.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The redemptive life story of Glenda Watson-Kahlenberg: a psychobiography
- Authors: Connelly, Ruth Ellen
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Watson-Kahlenberg, Glenda -- Psychology , Redemption , Meaning (Psychology) , Well-being , Forgiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9956 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019690
- Description: This psychobiography is focused on the life of Glenda Watson-Kahlenberg, whose life history epitomises the redemptive theme of triumph over tragedy. A phenomenological approach to the study allowed the researcher to observe the participant‟s lived experience through the theoretical lens of Frankl‟s conceptualization of a meaningful and full existence. A holistic perspective of factors contributing to redemption was accommodated by the Biopsychosocial-spiritual Model. The aim of this longitudinal revelatory study was to illuminate the process of redemption in a life, which leads to restoration and wholeness. This study breaks with traditional psychobiography – in that a life in progress has been selected; and personality development is not the key focus. This psychobiographical undertaking was anchored in qualitative research in the form of a single case study. Four types of triangulation were utilized, namely: data, investigators, theory and methodological triangulation. In addition, Alexander‟s identifiers of saliency, Miles and Huberman‟s data-management guidelines, Schultz‟s prototypical scenes, and Guba‟s criteria for trustworthiness, guided the methodology to ensure reliable data extraction and interpretation. The present researcher was in search of a deeper understanding of the enabling factors facilitating a restorative process in a life that was challenged by setbacks. Given the increasing pressures facing individuals in this modern era, the redemptive theme holds particular relevance, and was graphically demonstrated in the life of the participant who experienced trauma, widowhood, divorce, single parenthood, and a spate of medical and psychological setbacks. The findings suggest that the mental health clinician‟s utilisation of Frankl‟s conceptualisation of meaning in the most challenging circumstances, proffers itself as an all-purpose life-tool which enables individuals to overcome their challenges. The study demonstrated that gaining meaning in life is inextricably tied to an implicit legacy-oriented worldview. Of significance, is the role of forgiveness which emerged as the central redemptive catalyst. In this study, the resolution of past hurts through forgiveness, and the search for meaning, merge, forming an arterial theme in the life story of the participant. The dual impact of these factors not only reversed contaminated life-scripts, it also birthed a new calling in life which set the participant on a generative life course. The findings related to a redemptive life not only confirms existing theory, but also adds perspectives not previously considered. In addition, the findings related to the role of forgiveness has positive implications for the individual‟s physical and psychological wellbeing. Greater intentionality on the part of therapists to thread forgiveness into their practice, remains invitational in the light of the eugraphic impact demonstrated in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Connelly, Ruth Ellen
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Watson-Kahlenberg, Glenda -- Psychology , Redemption , Meaning (Psychology) , Well-being , Forgiveness
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9956 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1019690
- Description: This psychobiography is focused on the life of Glenda Watson-Kahlenberg, whose life history epitomises the redemptive theme of triumph over tragedy. A phenomenological approach to the study allowed the researcher to observe the participant‟s lived experience through the theoretical lens of Frankl‟s conceptualization of a meaningful and full existence. A holistic perspective of factors contributing to redemption was accommodated by the Biopsychosocial-spiritual Model. The aim of this longitudinal revelatory study was to illuminate the process of redemption in a life, which leads to restoration and wholeness. This study breaks with traditional psychobiography – in that a life in progress has been selected; and personality development is not the key focus. This psychobiographical undertaking was anchored in qualitative research in the form of a single case study. Four types of triangulation were utilized, namely: data, investigators, theory and methodological triangulation. In addition, Alexander‟s identifiers of saliency, Miles and Huberman‟s data-management guidelines, Schultz‟s prototypical scenes, and Guba‟s criteria for trustworthiness, guided the methodology to ensure reliable data extraction and interpretation. The present researcher was in search of a deeper understanding of the enabling factors facilitating a restorative process in a life that was challenged by setbacks. Given the increasing pressures facing individuals in this modern era, the redemptive theme holds particular relevance, and was graphically demonstrated in the life of the participant who experienced trauma, widowhood, divorce, single parenthood, and a spate of medical and psychological setbacks. The findings suggest that the mental health clinician‟s utilisation of Frankl‟s conceptualisation of meaning in the most challenging circumstances, proffers itself as an all-purpose life-tool which enables individuals to overcome their challenges. The study demonstrated that gaining meaning in life is inextricably tied to an implicit legacy-oriented worldview. Of significance, is the role of forgiveness which emerged as the central redemptive catalyst. In this study, the resolution of past hurts through forgiveness, and the search for meaning, merge, forming an arterial theme in the life story of the participant. The dual impact of these factors not only reversed contaminated life-scripts, it also birthed a new calling in life which set the participant on a generative life course. The findings related to a redemptive life not only confirms existing theory, but also adds perspectives not previously considered. In addition, the findings related to the role of forgiveness has positive implications for the individual‟s physical and psychological wellbeing. Greater intentionality on the part of therapists to thread forgiveness into their practice, remains invitational in the light of the eugraphic impact demonstrated in this study.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Track-one diplomacy and post-conflict reconstruction : Kenya's mediation of Somali conflict and strategic intervention avenues
- Mwanika, Philip Arthur Njuguna
- Authors: Mwanika, Philip Arthur Njuguna
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Mediation -- Somalia , Mediation -- Kenya , Diplomacy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8338 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020628
- Description: This study focuses on the Kenyan mediation of the Somali conflict and strategic intervention engagement between 2002 and 2012. The core aim of the study was to establish and evaluate the role and effects of track-one diplomacy on conflict management and post-conflict reconstruction as pertains to the Somali conflict and on the basis of the Kenyan experience. A qualitative approach was followed in this study. It employed a descriptive, explanatory and analytical case-study method. The data were collected through interviews and documentary analysis. The twenty-two participants in the study were drawn from the Kenyan Foreign Ministry, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA), the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), the East African Standby Force Co-ordination Mechanism (EASFCOM), the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), the African Peace Forum Organization (APFO), and selected respondents representing the Somali people. The documents comprised policy treatises, protocols, treaties, and communiqués highlighting the actions of the Kenyan government and other track-one actors in the Somali peace endeavour. Other scholarly research on official diplomacy, soft-power and conflict management by small States – in particular African case studies – were also utilised. The study revealed that Kenya’s diplomatic and stabilisation efforts had their own dynamics and challenges. This is especially so with regard to the preferred policy option of exercising diplomacy that utilises soft-power resources. This diplomacy had to contend with the challenges of dealing with sensitive aspects of the process. These sensitive aspects involved a recognition of and complicated engagement with the Somali conflict-constituencies, and a complex mapping of various actors and their respective interests. Contrary to the expected outcomes, interests and issues 17 proliferated, and the original peace-making agenda was consistently slowed down and complicated. The study also revealed that Kenya ought to have exercised a non-directive role in dealing with the different Somali conflict players. This role provides that such an “interested mediator” ought to exercise some considerable influence over the mediation environment. It also emerged from the study that as pertains to the current peace-making developments in Somalia that began in 2005 onwards to 2012, it is important that different intermediary co-operative roles be recognized and utilised. Towards this end, the study recommends that Kenya’s diplomacy should adopt a strategy of co-operation with those regional regimes that it helped to establish. A case in reference is the diplomatic opportunity of utilising regional arms control and disarmament diplomacy. This is Kenya’s intermediary co-operative role with RECSA, which is mandated to support arms control and disarmament implementation efforts in the East African region. The study also recommends that strategic foreign policy and regional actions by Kenya should be taken up given its new lease of engagement, noting that it was officially integrated into AMISOM in 2012. The study posited that in the ongoing engagement environment there would be a ‘revisiting’ of the experiences and complexities of the first phase of engagement (2002-2004). It is, therefore, recommended that Kenya should seize this opportunity and continue with its ‘facilitative and enabling role’ in its peace diplomacy, while utilising the lessons learnt in past engagements.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mwanika, Philip Arthur Njuguna
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Mediation -- Somalia , Mediation -- Kenya , Diplomacy
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8338 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020628
- Description: This study focuses on the Kenyan mediation of the Somali conflict and strategic intervention engagement between 2002 and 2012. The core aim of the study was to establish and evaluate the role and effects of track-one diplomacy on conflict management and post-conflict reconstruction as pertains to the Somali conflict and on the basis of the Kenyan experience. A qualitative approach was followed in this study. It employed a descriptive, explanatory and analytical case-study method. The data were collected through interviews and documentary analysis. The twenty-two participants in the study were drawn from the Kenyan Foreign Ministry, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Regional Centre on Small Arms and Light Weapons (RECSA), the International Peace Support Training Centre (IPSTC), the East African Standby Force Co-ordination Mechanism (EASFCOM), the African Union Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), the United Nations Political Office for Somalia (UNPOS), the African Peace Forum Organization (APFO), and selected respondents representing the Somali people. The documents comprised policy treatises, protocols, treaties, and communiqués highlighting the actions of the Kenyan government and other track-one actors in the Somali peace endeavour. Other scholarly research on official diplomacy, soft-power and conflict management by small States – in particular African case studies – were also utilised. The study revealed that Kenya’s diplomatic and stabilisation efforts had their own dynamics and challenges. This is especially so with regard to the preferred policy option of exercising diplomacy that utilises soft-power resources. This diplomacy had to contend with the challenges of dealing with sensitive aspects of the process. These sensitive aspects involved a recognition of and complicated engagement with the Somali conflict-constituencies, and a complex mapping of various actors and their respective interests. Contrary to the expected outcomes, interests and issues 17 proliferated, and the original peace-making agenda was consistently slowed down and complicated. The study also revealed that Kenya ought to have exercised a non-directive role in dealing with the different Somali conflict players. This role provides that such an “interested mediator” ought to exercise some considerable influence over the mediation environment. It also emerged from the study that as pertains to the current peace-making developments in Somalia that began in 2005 onwards to 2012, it is important that different intermediary co-operative roles be recognized and utilised. Towards this end, the study recommends that Kenya’s diplomacy should adopt a strategy of co-operation with those regional regimes that it helped to establish. A case in reference is the diplomatic opportunity of utilising regional arms control and disarmament diplomacy. This is Kenya’s intermediary co-operative role with RECSA, which is mandated to support arms control and disarmament implementation efforts in the East African region. The study also recommends that strategic foreign policy and regional actions by Kenya should be taken up given its new lease of engagement, noting that it was officially integrated into AMISOM in 2012. The study posited that in the ongoing engagement environment there would be a ‘revisiting’ of the experiences and complexities of the first phase of engagement (2002-2004). It is, therefore, recommended that Kenya should seize this opportunity and continue with its ‘facilitative and enabling role’ in its peace diplomacy, while utilising the lessons learnt in past engagements.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Market triumphalism and the South Afican state: a case study of local government in the Eastern Cape
- Breakfast, Ntsikelelo Benjamin
- Authors: Breakfast, Ntsikelelo Benjamin
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Local government -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Case studies , Development economics -- South Africa -- East London , Development economics -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8267 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014085
- Description: At a glance, this study is a critique of local development policies with specific reference to the Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipalities in the Eastern Cape. The researcher enters the debate by posing a primary research question: Do the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) ventures that constitute anti-poverty strategies succeed in addressing the issues of poverty, and achieving more equitable development at the municipal level in the Eastern Cape? This research proposes a problem statement: The local development policies of PPP and BBBEE that are being applied through Local Economic Development strategies are not in the interests of the majority of people living in the Eastern Cape. At a methodological level this research employs both quantitative and qualitative approaches to answer the central question and to verify the problem statement of this study. This triangulation approach is employed to utilize the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative methods. More specifically, the researcher uses a number of different research instruments to collect the data including four hundred questionnaires, four focus groups and elite interviews in both municipalities. The findings of this study indicate that local development policies in both municipalities do not improve the lives of the people. This line of thinking is indicated by both the empirical study conducted by the researcher and is supported by a number of scholarly materials. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in Political Economy and Development Studies including other disciplines in Social and Economic Sciences. The central argument of this thesis is that both BBBEE and PPPs are inspired by neo-liberalism (BBBEE is not neo-liberal per se though it may be heavily influenced by it) and neo-liberalism in practice is contradictory in nature as it involves the allocation of state resources to politically influential individuals, rather than promoting economic development for the majority. The evidence of this research further shows that the local business and political elites through the BBBEE, PPPs and outsourcing of services are using their strong networks (associated political, social and capital resources) in their efforts for personal accumulation. The researcher in this study examines the local development policies from a particular standpoint which is a political economy approach. The business and political elites according to political economic perspective use state resources to enrich themselves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Market triumphalism and the South Afican state: a case study of local government in the Eastern Cape
- Authors: Breakfast, Ntsikelelo Benjamin
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Local government -- South Africa -- East London -- Case studies , Local government -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth -- Case studies , Development economics -- South Africa -- East London , Development economics -- South Africa -- Port Elizabeth
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8267 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1014085
- Description: At a glance, this study is a critique of local development policies with specific reference to the Buffalo City and Nelson Mandela Metropolitan Municipalities in the Eastern Cape. The researcher enters the debate by posing a primary research question: Do the Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) ventures that constitute anti-poverty strategies succeed in addressing the issues of poverty, and achieving more equitable development at the municipal level in the Eastern Cape? This research proposes a problem statement: The local development policies of PPP and BBBEE that are being applied through Local Economic Development strategies are not in the interests of the majority of people living in the Eastern Cape. At a methodological level this research employs both quantitative and qualitative approaches to answer the central question and to verify the problem statement of this study. This triangulation approach is employed to utilize the strengths of both quantitative and qualitative methods. More specifically, the researcher uses a number of different research instruments to collect the data including four hundred questionnaires, four focus groups and elite interviews in both municipalities. The findings of this study indicate that local development policies in both municipalities do not improve the lives of the people. This line of thinking is indicated by both the empirical study conducted by the researcher and is supported by a number of scholarly materials. This study contributes to the body of knowledge in Political Economy and Development Studies including other disciplines in Social and Economic Sciences. The central argument of this thesis is that both BBBEE and PPPs are inspired by neo-liberalism (BBBEE is not neo-liberal per se though it may be heavily influenced by it) and neo-liberalism in practice is contradictory in nature as it involves the allocation of state resources to politically influential individuals, rather than promoting economic development for the majority. The evidence of this research further shows that the local business and political elites through the BBBEE, PPPs and outsourcing of services are using their strong networks (associated political, social and capital resources) in their efforts for personal accumulation. The researcher in this study examines the local development policies from a particular standpoint which is a political economy approach. The business and political elites according to political economic perspective use state resources to enrich themselves.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Factors impacting performance of training institutions in Uganda
- Authors: Okware, Fabiano
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- Uganda , Education and training services industry , Education, Higher -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8857 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020150
- Description: The purpose of this study was to develop and empirically test a hypothetical model of factors impacting performance of training institutions in Uganda in order to establish their statistical significance. The liberalisation of the education sector in Uganda, which has led to the rapid growth in the establishment of private sector higher education institutions in the country, now necessitates empirical and theoretical research into the factors impacting performance of these training institutions. The mission of higher education training institutions is to constantly create a critical academic community to debate national issues and to generate relevant knowledge for the country’s economic growth and development. The study investigated and analysed how the independent variables (individual-, institutional- and external) impact institutional performance (dependent variable). The study reviewed literature in the areas of individual-, institutional- and external factors supported by Wei’s (2006), Mackenzie-Phillips (2008), Burke-Litwin (1994), Lusthaus, Adrien, Anderson and Carden (1999) and The Jain (2005) models as presented in section 6 of chapter one. The hypothetical model developed was based on the models mentioned. The study sought the perceptions of managers and utilised the quantitative research paradigm. A survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to managers in both public and private training institutions in Uganda. The final sample comprised 488 respondents. Data was collected in 2012 over a period of four months. The returned questionnaires were subjected to several statistical analyses. The validity of the measuring instrument was ascertained using exploratory factor analysis. The Cronbach’s alpha values for reliability were calculated for each of the factors identified during the exploratory factor analysis. In this study, correlation and exploratory factor analysis, the KMO measure of sample adequacy and Bartlett’s test of sphericity and regressions were the main statistical procedures used to test the appropriateness of data, correlation and significance of the relationships hypothesised between the various independent and dependent variables. The study identified nine independent variables as significantly impacting the performance (dependent variable) of training institutions in Uganda. Three statistical significant relationships were found between the individual factors: knowledge acquisition, role identity, employee empowerment and performance of training institutions in Uganda. Four statistical significant relationships were found between the institutional factors: strategic intent, management capabilities, organisational resources, organisational culture and performance of training institutions in Uganda. Two statistical significant relationships were found between the external factors: political/legal, stakeholders and performance of training institutions in Uganda. The study also found five statistically insignificant variables. It was found that managers in training institutions in Uganda should encourage employees to assess their own performance. Managers should formulate a policy on transparency and practice open communication using the right communication channels. Training institutions in Uganda should consider having organic and flatter organisational structures with a wider span of control. Managers should regard economic variables such as inflation rates and tax obligations when planning and drawing up budgets as this will impact their profitability. There is a need in Uganda to collaborate with and forge close relationships with international training institutions and global partners to become more globally competitive. The study has provided general guidelines at individual level how to best utilize employees to improve performance of training institutions in Uganda. Furthermore, general operational guidelines at institutional level for improving performance of training institutions have been given for such institutions to become and remain competitive in the global market place. The study has also highlighted general guidelines regarding managing external environmental factors to assist in improving performance of training institutions in Uganda.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Okware, Fabiano
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Universities and colleges -- Uganda , Education and training services industry , Education, Higher -- Uganda
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8857 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020150
- Description: The purpose of this study was to develop and empirically test a hypothetical model of factors impacting performance of training institutions in Uganda in order to establish their statistical significance. The liberalisation of the education sector in Uganda, which has led to the rapid growth in the establishment of private sector higher education institutions in the country, now necessitates empirical and theoretical research into the factors impacting performance of these training institutions. The mission of higher education training institutions is to constantly create a critical academic community to debate national issues and to generate relevant knowledge for the country’s economic growth and development. The study investigated and analysed how the independent variables (individual-, institutional- and external) impact institutional performance (dependent variable). The study reviewed literature in the areas of individual-, institutional- and external factors supported by Wei’s (2006), Mackenzie-Phillips (2008), Burke-Litwin (1994), Lusthaus, Adrien, Anderson and Carden (1999) and The Jain (2005) models as presented in section 6 of chapter one. The hypothetical model developed was based on the models mentioned. The study sought the perceptions of managers and utilised the quantitative research paradigm. A survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire distributed to managers in both public and private training institutions in Uganda. The final sample comprised 488 respondents. Data was collected in 2012 over a period of four months. The returned questionnaires were subjected to several statistical analyses. The validity of the measuring instrument was ascertained using exploratory factor analysis. The Cronbach’s alpha values for reliability were calculated for each of the factors identified during the exploratory factor analysis. In this study, correlation and exploratory factor analysis, the KMO measure of sample adequacy and Bartlett’s test of sphericity and regressions were the main statistical procedures used to test the appropriateness of data, correlation and significance of the relationships hypothesised between the various independent and dependent variables. The study identified nine independent variables as significantly impacting the performance (dependent variable) of training institutions in Uganda. Three statistical significant relationships were found between the individual factors: knowledge acquisition, role identity, employee empowerment and performance of training institutions in Uganda. Four statistical significant relationships were found between the institutional factors: strategic intent, management capabilities, organisational resources, organisational culture and performance of training institutions in Uganda. Two statistical significant relationships were found between the external factors: political/legal, stakeholders and performance of training institutions in Uganda. The study also found five statistically insignificant variables. It was found that managers in training institutions in Uganda should encourage employees to assess their own performance. Managers should formulate a policy on transparency and practice open communication using the right communication channels. Training institutions in Uganda should consider having organic and flatter organisational structures with a wider span of control. Managers should regard economic variables such as inflation rates and tax obligations when planning and drawing up budgets as this will impact their profitability. There is a need in Uganda to collaborate with and forge close relationships with international training institutions and global partners to become more globally competitive. The study has provided general guidelines at individual level how to best utilize employees to improve performance of training institutions in Uganda. Furthermore, general operational guidelines at institutional level for improving performance of training institutions have been given for such institutions to become and remain competitive in the global market place. The study has also highlighted general guidelines regarding managing external environmental factors to assist in improving performance of training institutions in Uganda.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Critical core competencies for effective strategic leadership in project management
- Authors: Jowah, Enoch Larry
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Leadership -- Psychological aspects , Project management , Core competencies , Leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017230
- Description: Project management is undeniably the fastest growing discipline as organizations move into the euphoria of projectification of their operations. Though projects have been a part of human life since time immemorial, there is a sudden realisation of the effectiveness of the methods used in project management. The enrolment of students studying for project management in tertiary institutions has shown tremendous increase. Yet the project execution process is mired by high failure rates and absence of clarity on the necessary skills required for effective project execution. The authority-gap in project management presents political and operational conflicts, and new innovative ways of authority-gap reduction need to be identified and taught in training programs. Simultaneously there is a realisation by both academics and practitioners that there is a difference between managers and leaders. Extensive studies on leadership have not allowed for a one-stop-leadership-style to be used in leadership of any form, let alone project leadership. In fact there is no standard definition of leadership as this has been heavily contextualized and thereby disallowing the creation of a universal definition. No cast-in-stone leadership styles are known and thereby leaving the research on leadership to concentrate on critical competencies required for effective leadership of projects. This study seeks to establish the core competencies needed by the project leaders and other practitioners to reduce the failure rate and maximise the benefits currently sought after by organisations. Studies have shown that the matrix structure within which the embedded projects work is a contributing factor to the failure of projects. Because projects are executed by people, it would be the proper utilisation of people’s talents and competencies that are expected to yield favourable results. Thus, whilst the matrix structure creates the authority-gap that presents a problem for effective project execution, management-by-projects still remains the best way known to add economic value to performance and productivity. The study therefore focuses on those characteristics of project leaders that will most likely make the difference in the way people perform in the workplace. The research findings emphasised the importance of empowerment of project managers and the development of their interpersonal skills of the project leader with special emphasis on extroversion, genuineness of senior management, and the responsiveness of the project leaders as important requirements for effective authority- gap reduction. These critical competencies will therefore facilitate the project execution process and enhance the empowered project leader’s ability to reduce the high project failure rate and high cost overruns. These competencies apply specifically to the human element as it relates to the role of the project leader and the interaction with the team members, this new knowledge needs to be introduced into training programs and project practitioners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Jowah, Enoch Larry
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Leadership -- Psychological aspects , Project management , Core competencies , Leadership
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9305 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1017230
- Description: Project management is undeniably the fastest growing discipline as organizations move into the euphoria of projectification of their operations. Though projects have been a part of human life since time immemorial, there is a sudden realisation of the effectiveness of the methods used in project management. The enrolment of students studying for project management in tertiary institutions has shown tremendous increase. Yet the project execution process is mired by high failure rates and absence of clarity on the necessary skills required for effective project execution. The authority-gap in project management presents political and operational conflicts, and new innovative ways of authority-gap reduction need to be identified and taught in training programs. Simultaneously there is a realisation by both academics and practitioners that there is a difference between managers and leaders. Extensive studies on leadership have not allowed for a one-stop-leadership-style to be used in leadership of any form, let alone project leadership. In fact there is no standard definition of leadership as this has been heavily contextualized and thereby disallowing the creation of a universal definition. No cast-in-stone leadership styles are known and thereby leaving the research on leadership to concentrate on critical competencies required for effective leadership of projects. This study seeks to establish the core competencies needed by the project leaders and other practitioners to reduce the failure rate and maximise the benefits currently sought after by organisations. Studies have shown that the matrix structure within which the embedded projects work is a contributing factor to the failure of projects. Because projects are executed by people, it would be the proper utilisation of people’s talents and competencies that are expected to yield favourable results. Thus, whilst the matrix structure creates the authority-gap that presents a problem for effective project execution, management-by-projects still remains the best way known to add economic value to performance and productivity. The study therefore focuses on those characteristics of project leaders that will most likely make the difference in the way people perform in the workplace. The research findings emphasised the importance of empowerment of project managers and the development of their interpersonal skills of the project leader with special emphasis on extroversion, genuineness of senior management, and the responsiveness of the project leaders as important requirements for effective authority- gap reduction. These critical competencies will therefore facilitate the project execution process and enhance the empowered project leader’s ability to reduce the high project failure rate and high cost overruns. These competencies apply specifically to the human element as it relates to the role of the project leader and the interaction with the team members, this new knowledge needs to be introduced into training programs and project practitioners.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The effect of using a computer-based exploration tool on children's career development learning
- Authors: Crause, Ewald
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Vocational guidance -- Computer network resources , Career development -- Computer network resources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9947 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015020
- Description: Historically the process of career development was thought of as occurring in adolescence and adulthood; however, the renewed emphasis on lifelong career development has led to a greater focus on the career developmental stage of childhood. The present research focused on the development and trialling of a research-based computerised career exploration tool, Growing-up: Children Building Careers™ (GCBC™) that can be used for early intervention in children‘s career development. The integration of developmental considerations within a career developmental context is of paramount importance, considering that child and career developmental theories share certain basic foundational principles such as the dual recognition of identifiable life stages and the resolution or accomplishment of associated tasks. The focus of the research is to provide access to a research-based tool that can assist learners with developing age appropriate career developmental skills. As the overview of education policy and existing programs will show, there are challenges in providing access to and improving the nature, level, and quality of career development services. Gaps in access to career development learning are particularly evident at the elementary education level. Furthermore it is clear that learners need to be at the centre of a radical rethink of careers services within a lifelong learning framework in order to ensure access to navigational tools throughout a lifetime of work and study transitions. Digital environments, such as the GCBC™, are tools that broaden and extend learning possibilities for children and appropriately designed digital environments can provide a vehicle that can take children further than they might travel unassisted. The research is divided into five phases and includes eight to ten year old children as participants. Phase one focused on the program design and pilot study (ensuring content validity and age-appropriate language use), while phases two to five focused on the fieldwork (i.e., pre –test, program exposure, post-test, and focus group discussions). The researcher made use of a mixed research design that combines both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The total sample consisted of 146 children between the ages of eight to ten years old. The control group had 72 children and the experimental group 74 children with a mean age of 8.74 years (SD = 0.63) for the total sample. The quantitative data collection entailed a pre-and post-test design with learners‘ career development measured with the Childhood Career Development Scale (CCDS) and their career awareness with the Revised Career Awareness Survey (RCAS). Qualitative data was collected in the form of two focus group discussions, which included a small sample of children from the experimental group, as well as insights gained from educators following the GCBC™ fieldwork. The quantitative statistical analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics which allowed the researcher to not only describe the research findings, but to confirm the effectiveness of the GCBC™ as an intentional career development learning program. Furthermore, the responses of the children and educators who participated in or witnessed the facilitation of the GCBC™ provided support for the GCBC™ as a meaningful career learning experience which can be successfully implemented in educational settings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Crause, Ewald
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Vocational guidance -- Computer network resources , Career development -- Computer network resources
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9947 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1015020
- Description: Historically the process of career development was thought of as occurring in adolescence and adulthood; however, the renewed emphasis on lifelong career development has led to a greater focus on the career developmental stage of childhood. The present research focused on the development and trialling of a research-based computerised career exploration tool, Growing-up: Children Building Careers™ (GCBC™) that can be used for early intervention in children‘s career development. The integration of developmental considerations within a career developmental context is of paramount importance, considering that child and career developmental theories share certain basic foundational principles such as the dual recognition of identifiable life stages and the resolution or accomplishment of associated tasks. The focus of the research is to provide access to a research-based tool that can assist learners with developing age appropriate career developmental skills. As the overview of education policy and existing programs will show, there are challenges in providing access to and improving the nature, level, and quality of career development services. Gaps in access to career development learning are particularly evident at the elementary education level. Furthermore it is clear that learners need to be at the centre of a radical rethink of careers services within a lifelong learning framework in order to ensure access to navigational tools throughout a lifetime of work and study transitions. Digital environments, such as the GCBC™, are tools that broaden and extend learning possibilities for children and appropriately designed digital environments can provide a vehicle that can take children further than they might travel unassisted. The research is divided into five phases and includes eight to ten year old children as participants. Phase one focused on the program design and pilot study (ensuring content validity and age-appropriate language use), while phases two to five focused on the fieldwork (i.e., pre –test, program exposure, post-test, and focus group discussions). The researcher made use of a mixed research design that combines both quantitative and qualitative research methods. The total sample consisted of 146 children between the ages of eight to ten years old. The control group had 72 children and the experimental group 74 children with a mean age of 8.74 years (SD = 0.63) for the total sample. The quantitative data collection entailed a pre-and post-test design with learners‘ career development measured with the Childhood Career Development Scale (CCDS) and their career awareness with the Revised Career Awareness Survey (RCAS). Qualitative data was collected in the form of two focus group discussions, which included a small sample of children from the experimental group, as well as insights gained from educators following the GCBC™ fieldwork. The quantitative statistical analysis included descriptive and inferential statistics which allowed the researcher to not only describe the research findings, but to confirm the effectiveness of the GCBC™ as an intentional career development learning program. Furthermore, the responses of the children and educators who participated in or witnessed the facilitation of the GCBC™ provided support for the GCBC™ as a meaningful career learning experience which can be successfully implemented in educational settings.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
A chronic care coordination model for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy
- Authors: Williams, Margaret
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: HIV-positive children -- Care -- South Africa , HIV-positive persons -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10062 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020346
- Description: The human immunodeficiency virus / acquired immune deficiency syndrome pandemic (HIV/AIDS) continues to increase in prevalence worldwide, particularly in South Africa. There is a concurrent and distinct increase in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and HIV-related diseases in the paediatric population in South Africa, particularly those using public sector health services, with a corresponding increase in morbidity and mortality rates (Abdool Karim & Abdool Karim, 2010:363), which impacts greatly on paediatric healthcare services. Adding to this, the provision of paediatric antiretroviral care has numerous stumbling blocks, not least of which is lack of decentralisation of facilities to provide treatment. There is the additional shortage of staff, which includes staff that are comfortable dealing with children, lack of training programmes on the provision of antiretroviral therapy to children, and minimal on-site mentorship of staff regarding HIV/AIDS disease in children. This lack of capacity in the healthcare system means that not all of those who require treatment will be able to access it, and this is particularly pertinent to paediatric patients (Meyers et al., 2007:198). Therefore the purpose of this research was to develop a nursing model that would assist healthcare professionals, in particular professional nurses, to optimise the comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children who require antiretroviral therapy at PHC clinics. To achieve the purpose of this study, a theory-generating design based on a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual approach was implemented by the researcher to gain an understanding of how the healthcare professionals and parents/caregivers of HIV-positive children experienced the comprehensive treatment, care and support provided at primary healthcare clinics. The information obtained was used to develop a chronic care coordination model for the optimisation of comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy. The study design comprised the following four steps: Step One of the research design focused on the identification, classification and definition of the major concepts of the study. This involved describing and selecting the research population and the sampling process prior to conducting the field work which comprised in-depth interviews with two groups of participants, namely healthcare professionals and parents/caregivers who accompany their HIV-positive children to PHC clinics in order to receive antiretroviral therapy. Step Two of the research design focused on the development of relationship statements in order to bring clarity and direction to the understanding of the phenomenon of interest. Step Three of the design concentrated on the development and description of the chronic care coordination model for optimising comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children who require antiretroviral therapy in order to ensure a well-managed child on ART. A visual representation of the structure of the model for chronic care coordination was given and described as well as a detailed description of the process of the model. Step Four was the last step of the research design and its focus was the development of guidelines for the operationalisation of the model for chronic care coordination for the optimisation of comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy at PHC clinics. Guidelines and operational implications for each of the five sequential steps of the model were developed. The evaluation criteria of Chinn & Kramer (2008:237‒248) were used to evaluate the model. It is therefore concluded that the researcher succeeded in achieving the purpose for this study because a chronic care coordination model that is understandable, clear, simple, applicable and significant to nursing practice has been developed for use by healthcare professionals, particularly professional nurses, in order to optimise the comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy at primary healthcare clinics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Williams, Margaret
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: HIV-positive children -- Care -- South Africa , HIV-positive persons -- Care -- South Africa
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:10062 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020346
- Description: The human immunodeficiency virus / acquired immune deficiency syndrome pandemic (HIV/AIDS) continues to increase in prevalence worldwide, particularly in South Africa. There is a concurrent and distinct increase in the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and HIV-related diseases in the paediatric population in South Africa, particularly those using public sector health services, with a corresponding increase in morbidity and mortality rates (Abdool Karim & Abdool Karim, 2010:363), which impacts greatly on paediatric healthcare services. Adding to this, the provision of paediatric antiretroviral care has numerous stumbling blocks, not least of which is lack of decentralisation of facilities to provide treatment. There is the additional shortage of staff, which includes staff that are comfortable dealing with children, lack of training programmes on the provision of antiretroviral therapy to children, and minimal on-site mentorship of staff regarding HIV/AIDS disease in children. This lack of capacity in the healthcare system means that not all of those who require treatment will be able to access it, and this is particularly pertinent to paediatric patients (Meyers et al., 2007:198). Therefore the purpose of this research was to develop a nursing model that would assist healthcare professionals, in particular professional nurses, to optimise the comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children who require antiretroviral therapy at PHC clinics. To achieve the purpose of this study, a theory-generating design based on a qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual approach was implemented by the researcher to gain an understanding of how the healthcare professionals and parents/caregivers of HIV-positive children experienced the comprehensive treatment, care and support provided at primary healthcare clinics. The information obtained was used to develop a chronic care coordination model for the optimisation of comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy. The study design comprised the following four steps: Step One of the research design focused on the identification, classification and definition of the major concepts of the study. This involved describing and selecting the research population and the sampling process prior to conducting the field work which comprised in-depth interviews with two groups of participants, namely healthcare professionals and parents/caregivers who accompany their HIV-positive children to PHC clinics in order to receive antiretroviral therapy. Step Two of the research design focused on the development of relationship statements in order to bring clarity and direction to the understanding of the phenomenon of interest. Step Three of the design concentrated on the development and description of the chronic care coordination model for optimising comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children who require antiretroviral therapy in order to ensure a well-managed child on ART. A visual representation of the structure of the model for chronic care coordination was given and described as well as a detailed description of the process of the model. Step Four was the last step of the research design and its focus was the development of guidelines for the operationalisation of the model for chronic care coordination for the optimisation of comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy at PHC clinics. Guidelines and operational implications for each of the five sequential steps of the model were developed. The evaluation criteria of Chinn & Kramer (2008:237‒248) were used to evaluate the model. It is therefore concluded that the researcher succeeded in achieving the purpose for this study because a chronic care coordination model that is understandable, clear, simple, applicable and significant to nursing practice has been developed for use by healthcare professionals, particularly professional nurses, in order to optimise the comprehensive treatment, care and support for HIV-positive children requiring antiretroviral therapy at primary healthcare clinics.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The interface between financial management and marketing management in South African businesses
- Authors: McLaren, Joseph Ignatius
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Marketing -- South Africa -- Management , Finance -- South Africa -- Management , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9331 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021111
- Description: This study investigates the interface between financial and marketing management in South African businesses by investigating the financial and marketing-management processes. This process orientation highlighted important interactions between the two functions. A critical analysis of secondary resources produced a clear theoretical foundation on which the development of the proposed interface framework was based. The critical literature analysis indicates four steps in the financial management process, namely, financial analysis, financial decision-making, financial planning and financial control (independent variables) and five steps in the marketing management process, namely, understanding the marketplace as well as customer needs and wants, designing a customer-driven marketing strategy, constructing an integrated marketing programme, building profitable relationships and capturing value from customers in the form of profits and customer equity. These steps were used to derive a proposed theoretical framework that shows how the steps in the financial-management process relate to those in the marketing-management process. The framework also indicates the perceptions of managers on the interface between the two functions. The perceptions on the interface include aspects such as the level of communication between the two departments, the understanding of each other‟s function and the flow of information between the two departments. From this framework, the six hypotheses were formulated to test the proposed relationships. The focus of the study is on the interface between financial management and marketing management; therefore, the population of this study comprised of financial and marketing managers in South Africa. The primary data relating to the interface between financial management and marketing management was acquired by means of an on-line web-based survey. Descriptive statistics was used to present, analyse and interpret the results of the data analysis. Various inferential statistical techniques (T-tests and chi-squared tests) were employed to determine whether respondents‟ perceptions of the items in the measuring instrument differed as result of whether they were employed in the finance or marketing sections of the business. Correlations (Pearson Product Moment correlations) were calculated for the purpose of investigating the relationships between the financial and marketing management variables used in this study. Factor analysis showed that financial management consisted of four factors that corresponded with the steps in the process, and marketing management produced five factors that related to the steps in the marketing management process. Lastly, statistical tests (MANOVA) were conducted to determine whether the perceptions of respondents, with regard to the financial and marketing management variables, were influenced by selected demographic variables. The results of the empirical study indicated positive relationships between all the variables in the framework. The marketing management factors, namely, mix and profit, reported the lowest correlations compared to the financial management factors. It was also found that financial and marketing managers had different perceptions of the steps in the financial-management process but that they did not have different views of the steps in the marketing-management process. Furthermore, financial and marketing managers had different opinions about the long-term perspective of the business as well as conflicting views with regard to the flow of information from finance to marketing. Financial managers were of the opinion that marketing managers did not understand financial methods and procedures and were unable to specify their requirements to finance. The proposed framework could be seen as the start of marketing theory development on finance interaction as it showed that interface relationships could be further explored.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: McLaren, Joseph Ignatius
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Marketing -- South Africa -- Management , Finance -- South Africa -- Management , Business enterprises -- South Africa -- Finance
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9331 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021111
- Description: This study investigates the interface between financial and marketing management in South African businesses by investigating the financial and marketing-management processes. This process orientation highlighted important interactions between the two functions. A critical analysis of secondary resources produced a clear theoretical foundation on which the development of the proposed interface framework was based. The critical literature analysis indicates four steps in the financial management process, namely, financial analysis, financial decision-making, financial planning and financial control (independent variables) and five steps in the marketing management process, namely, understanding the marketplace as well as customer needs and wants, designing a customer-driven marketing strategy, constructing an integrated marketing programme, building profitable relationships and capturing value from customers in the form of profits and customer equity. These steps were used to derive a proposed theoretical framework that shows how the steps in the financial-management process relate to those in the marketing-management process. The framework also indicates the perceptions of managers on the interface between the two functions. The perceptions on the interface include aspects such as the level of communication between the two departments, the understanding of each other‟s function and the flow of information between the two departments. From this framework, the six hypotheses were formulated to test the proposed relationships. The focus of the study is on the interface between financial management and marketing management; therefore, the population of this study comprised of financial and marketing managers in South Africa. The primary data relating to the interface between financial management and marketing management was acquired by means of an on-line web-based survey. Descriptive statistics was used to present, analyse and interpret the results of the data analysis. Various inferential statistical techniques (T-tests and chi-squared tests) were employed to determine whether respondents‟ perceptions of the items in the measuring instrument differed as result of whether they were employed in the finance or marketing sections of the business. Correlations (Pearson Product Moment correlations) were calculated for the purpose of investigating the relationships between the financial and marketing management variables used in this study. Factor analysis showed that financial management consisted of four factors that corresponded with the steps in the process, and marketing management produced five factors that related to the steps in the marketing management process. Lastly, statistical tests (MANOVA) were conducted to determine whether the perceptions of respondents, with regard to the financial and marketing management variables, were influenced by selected demographic variables. The results of the empirical study indicated positive relationships between all the variables in the framework. The marketing management factors, namely, mix and profit, reported the lowest correlations compared to the financial management factors. It was also found that financial and marketing managers had different perceptions of the steps in the financial-management process but that they did not have different views of the steps in the marketing-management process. Furthermore, financial and marketing managers had different opinions about the long-term perspective of the business as well as conflicting views with regard to the flow of information from finance to marketing. Financial managers were of the opinion that marketing managers did not understand financial methods and procedures and were unable to specify their requirements to finance. The proposed framework could be seen as the start of marketing theory development on finance interaction as it showed that interface relationships could be further explored.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
The impact of liberalisation on Zimbabwe
- Authors: Mugano, Gift
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Economic Structural Adjustment Program (Zimbabwe) , Free trade -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9025 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020198
- Description: The process of trade liberalisation and market-oriented economic reforms was initiated in many developing countries in early 1980s; and it intensified in 1990s. In 1991, Zimbabwe was assisted by the IMF to implement trade-policy reforms under Economic Structural Adjustment Programme (ESAP). After adopting ESAP, the country witnessed soaring balance-of-payment problems, contraction of output, unemployment and the loss of government revenue. A number of factors, which were at play resulted in dismal economic performance under ESAP. These factors still exist, in addition to inter alia weak economic policies, structural rigidities and weak institutions. However, notwithstanding this controversy, the country continuously opened its economy under Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), World Trade Organisation (WTO), Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and bilateral agreements. It is against this background that this study is undertaken, in order to evaluate the impact of different trade-policy regimes on trade, welfare and revenue in Zimbabwe. This study used two models: World Integrated Trade Solutions/Software for Market Analysis and Restrictions on Trade (WITS/SMART) and Tariff Reform Impact Simulation Tool (TRIST). The WITS/SMART model was used because of its ability in analysing the tariff effect of a single market on disaggregated product lines. The model also has the capability to analyse the effects of trade-policy reforms in the presence of imperfect substitutes. In order to complement the WITS/SMART model, a TRIST model was also used. The use of the TRIST model enabled the study to evaluate the impact of trade reforms on VAT, excise duties, collected and statutory revenue – which the WITS/SMART model had overlooked. Using the WITS/SMART model, the study considered seven trade-liberalisation frameworks for Zimbabwe: full implementation of the SADC free trade agreement (FTA), SADC common external tariff (CET), COMESA CET, COMESA FTA, EPAs, BFTAs and WTO FTA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Mugano, Gift
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Economic Structural Adjustment Program (Zimbabwe) , Free trade -- Zimbabwe , Economic development -- Zimbabwe , Zimbabwe -- Economic conditions
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:9025 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1020198
- Description: The process of trade liberalisation and market-oriented economic reforms was initiated in many developing countries in early 1980s; and it intensified in 1990s. In 1991, Zimbabwe was assisted by the IMF to implement trade-policy reforms under Economic Structural Adjustment Programme (ESAP). After adopting ESAP, the country witnessed soaring balance-of-payment problems, contraction of output, unemployment and the loss of government revenue. A number of factors, which were at play resulted in dismal economic performance under ESAP. These factors still exist, in addition to inter alia weak economic policies, structural rigidities and weak institutions. However, notwithstanding this controversy, the country continuously opened its economy under Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA), Southern Africa Development Community (SADC), World Trade Organisation (WTO), Economic Partnership Agreements (EPAs) and bilateral agreements. It is against this background that this study is undertaken, in order to evaluate the impact of different trade-policy regimes on trade, welfare and revenue in Zimbabwe. This study used two models: World Integrated Trade Solutions/Software for Market Analysis and Restrictions on Trade (WITS/SMART) and Tariff Reform Impact Simulation Tool (TRIST). The WITS/SMART model was used because of its ability in analysing the tariff effect of a single market on disaggregated product lines. The model also has the capability to analyse the effects of trade-policy reforms in the presence of imperfect substitutes. In order to complement the WITS/SMART model, a TRIST model was also used. The use of the TRIST model enabled the study to evaluate the impact of trade reforms on VAT, excise duties, collected and statutory revenue – which the WITS/SMART model had overlooked. Using the WITS/SMART model, the study considered seven trade-liberalisation frameworks for Zimbabwe: full implementation of the SADC free trade agreement (FTA), SADC common external tariff (CET), COMESA CET, COMESA FTA, EPAs, BFTAs and WTO FTA.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Participatory radio as the voice of the community : a comparative study of selected radio stations in the Eastern Cape, South Africa
- Authors: Osunkunle, Oluyinka O
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Radio stations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community radio
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8437 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021044
- Description: This research project was aimed at assessing whether community radio stations are indeed the voice of the community or are set out to fulfil their own agenda. This study therefore looked at three different categories of community radio stations, namely the faith-based radio (Kingfisher FM), geographic community radio (Radio Grahamstown) and institutional community radio (Forte FM) with the aim of studying their activities and comparing the three. Relevant literature has been reviewed and data have been collected using both quantitative and qualitative methods through questionnaires, personal interviews and focus group interviews. The study however leans more on the qualitative approach and a quantitative approach has merely been used to identify the trends of the views of the participants. The analysis of data highlights the views of the respondents about these radio stations as the voice of the community. The views of the respondents from the three radio stations showed that these stations enjoy a very good patronage from the listeners in Port Elizabeth (Kingfisher FM), Grahamstown (Radio Grahamstown) and Alice (Forte FM), respectively. The results and discussions confirm that these radio stations meet their various individual needs of the listeners and that of the community at large. In addition, the fact that participants of the focus groups and survey respondents for these three selected radio stations reported that the Station regularly fulfils the major functions of a radio station, which is to inform, educate and entertain them, showed that these radio stations are acting socially responsible as well. This study was also able to confirm that these community radio stations do give opportunities to listeners to contribute to programme content development, which shows the willingness of these stations to give voice to the listeners and allow them to be part of their own personal development and that of the community at large.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Osunkunle, Oluyinka O
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Radio stations -- South Africa -- Eastern Cape , Community radio
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: vital:8437 , http://hdl.handle.net/10948/d1021044
- Description: This research project was aimed at assessing whether community radio stations are indeed the voice of the community or are set out to fulfil their own agenda. This study therefore looked at three different categories of community radio stations, namely the faith-based radio (Kingfisher FM), geographic community radio (Radio Grahamstown) and institutional community radio (Forte FM) with the aim of studying their activities and comparing the three. Relevant literature has been reviewed and data have been collected using both quantitative and qualitative methods through questionnaires, personal interviews and focus group interviews. The study however leans more on the qualitative approach and a quantitative approach has merely been used to identify the trends of the views of the participants. The analysis of data highlights the views of the respondents about these radio stations as the voice of the community. The views of the respondents from the three radio stations showed that these stations enjoy a very good patronage from the listeners in Port Elizabeth (Kingfisher FM), Grahamstown (Radio Grahamstown) and Alice (Forte FM), respectively. The results and discussions confirm that these radio stations meet their various individual needs of the listeners and that of the community at large. In addition, the fact that participants of the focus groups and survey respondents for these three selected radio stations reported that the Station regularly fulfils the major functions of a radio station, which is to inform, educate and entertain them, showed that these radio stations are acting socially responsible as well. This study was also able to confirm that these community radio stations do give opportunities to listeners to contribute to programme content development, which shows the willingness of these stations to give voice to the listeners and allow them to be part of their own personal development and that of the community at large.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
An analysis of the role of Non-Govermental Organisations in the social welfare policy process: a case study of Zimbabwe
- Authors: Gwarinda, Shungu Agnes
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Non-governmental organizations -- Zimbabwe , Social service -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6606 , vital:21125
- Description: This study is an interpretive analysis of the roles of NGOs in the social policy process, using the case of postcolonial Zimbabwe. Assessing the period between 2000 and 2010 and the prevailing unique socio-economic and geopolitical crisis, the study engages the major contextual factors influencing evolution of NGOs and their engagement in the policy process. It focuses on the conceptual and state – civil society contestations on the legitimacy of NGO’s as well as an assessment of their impact on the social policy process. NGOs in Zimbabwe have played two major and two minor roles in the social policy process as identified in the study in terms of their prominence and impact on the policy process. That is: policy implementer role complementing state social policy provision, democratisation to pluralism the social policy arena as the major roles; educational role to developing interventions for better social policy and watchdog role monitoring government and other state institutions in meeting the social policy needs of citizens. The thesis argues that analysis of NGOs is embedded in understanding the role of the state and dialectical relationship between state and civil society. Using a neo-Marxist perspective and social democratic approach to the role of the state in social policy, the theoretical generalisations of the study are that NGOs have a legitimate role to play in the social policy process. However, this is defined by the nature and role of the state itself as central driving agent in social policy. Therefore, the roles NGOs are not exclusive in themselves but are anchored within the contextual framework and its definition of societal spheres within it. The thesis established the evolution of the NGO sector in Zimbabwe, its impact on the social, political landscape and argues that the democratisation agenda in Zimbabwe requires a political solution embedded in a transformative state as the panacea for building a redistributive and participatory social policy agenda that engages with non-state actors, NGOs included within a developmental framework. Conclusively, the thesis proposes a theoretical distinction between NGOs as service oriented entities and CSOs as forums for associational life and civic engagement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Gwarinda, Shungu Agnes
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Non-governmental organizations -- Zimbabwe , Social service -- Zimbabwe
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/6606 , vital:21125
- Description: This study is an interpretive analysis of the roles of NGOs in the social policy process, using the case of postcolonial Zimbabwe. Assessing the period between 2000 and 2010 and the prevailing unique socio-economic and geopolitical crisis, the study engages the major contextual factors influencing evolution of NGOs and their engagement in the policy process. It focuses on the conceptual and state – civil society contestations on the legitimacy of NGO’s as well as an assessment of their impact on the social policy process. NGOs in Zimbabwe have played two major and two minor roles in the social policy process as identified in the study in terms of their prominence and impact on the policy process. That is: policy implementer role complementing state social policy provision, democratisation to pluralism the social policy arena as the major roles; educational role to developing interventions for better social policy and watchdog role monitoring government and other state institutions in meeting the social policy needs of citizens. The thesis argues that analysis of NGOs is embedded in understanding the role of the state and dialectical relationship between state and civil society. Using a neo-Marxist perspective and social democratic approach to the role of the state in social policy, the theoretical generalisations of the study are that NGOs have a legitimate role to play in the social policy process. However, this is defined by the nature and role of the state itself as central driving agent in social policy. Therefore, the roles NGOs are not exclusive in themselves but are anchored within the contextual framework and its definition of societal spheres within it. The thesis established the evolution of the NGO sector in Zimbabwe, its impact on the social, political landscape and argues that the democratisation agenda in Zimbabwe requires a political solution embedded in a transformative state as the panacea for building a redistributive and participatory social policy agenda that engages with non-state actors, NGOs included within a developmental framework. Conclusively, the thesis proposes a theoretical distinction between NGOs as service oriented entities and CSOs as forums for associational life and civic engagement.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
Monetary policy in Namibia, 1993-2011
- Sheefeni, Johannes Peyavali Sheefeni
- Authors: Sheefeni, Johannes Peyavali Sheefeni
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Monetary policy -- Namibia , Transmission mechanism (Monetary policy) -- Namibia , Money supply -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3935 , vital:20493
- Description: This thesis investigated the role of monetary policy in Namibia for the period 1993 to 2011. It aims at achieving six objectives. First, it reviews the evolution of monetary policy in Namibia for the period 1980 to 2011. Second, it investigates the interest rate channel of the monetary policy transmission mechanism in Namibia. Third, it analyses the credit channel of the monetary policy transmission mechanism in Namibia. Fourth, it evaluates the exchange rate channel of the monetary policy transmission mechanism in Namibia. Fifth, it studies the money effect model in the context of the monetary policy transmission mechanism in Namibia. Sixth, it examines the exchange rate pass–through (ERPT) to domestic prices in Namibia. In order to achieve the objectives of the relative importance of the different channels of monetary policy transmission, a structural vector autoregressive model of the Namibian economy is constructed. Specifically the responses of the output and prices to monetary policy shocks for Namibia over the quarterly period 1993:Q1 to 2011:Q4 are investigated using impulse response functions and forecast variance error decompositions obtained from a structural vector autoregressive model (SVAR). The thesis also examined the exchange rate pass-through from exchange rate to domestic prices using both SVAR and the single equation error correction model (ECM). Estimation results on the different channels of monetary policy transmission mechanism showed that the interest rate channel and the credit channel are effective in transmitting monetary policy actions. The exchange rate channel is also operative but not effective. The money effect model confirms that inflation in Namibia is not a monetary phenomenon. The results of the pass-through relationship showed that there is an incomplete but high exchange rate pass-through from exchange rate to domestic prices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013
- Authors: Sheefeni, Johannes Peyavali Sheefeni
- Date: 2013
- Subjects: Monetary policy -- Namibia , Transmission mechanism (Monetary policy) -- Namibia , Money supply -- Namibia
- Language: English
- Type: Thesis , Doctoral , DPhil
- Identifier: http://hdl.handle.net/10948/3935 , vital:20493
- Description: This thesis investigated the role of monetary policy in Namibia for the period 1993 to 2011. It aims at achieving six objectives. First, it reviews the evolution of monetary policy in Namibia for the period 1980 to 2011. Second, it investigates the interest rate channel of the monetary policy transmission mechanism in Namibia. Third, it analyses the credit channel of the monetary policy transmission mechanism in Namibia. Fourth, it evaluates the exchange rate channel of the monetary policy transmission mechanism in Namibia. Fifth, it studies the money effect model in the context of the monetary policy transmission mechanism in Namibia. Sixth, it examines the exchange rate pass–through (ERPT) to domestic prices in Namibia. In order to achieve the objectives of the relative importance of the different channels of monetary policy transmission, a structural vector autoregressive model of the Namibian economy is constructed. Specifically the responses of the output and prices to monetary policy shocks for Namibia over the quarterly period 1993:Q1 to 2011:Q4 are investigated using impulse response functions and forecast variance error decompositions obtained from a structural vector autoregressive model (SVAR). The thesis also examined the exchange rate pass-through from exchange rate to domestic prices using both SVAR and the single equation error correction model (ECM). Estimation results on the different channels of monetary policy transmission mechanism showed that the interest rate channel and the credit channel are effective in transmitting monetary policy actions. The exchange rate channel is also operative but not effective. The money effect model confirms that inflation in Namibia is not a monetary phenomenon. The results of the pass-through relationship showed that there is an incomplete but high exchange rate pass-through from exchange rate to domestic prices.
- Full Text:
- Date Issued: 2013